Minister tight-lipped over runway decision
SPECULATION is mounting that the Environment Minister's decision on the proposed runway extension at George Best Belfast City Airport is imminent.
Concerned residents and anti-runway campaigners are bracing themselves for Edwin Poots' determination — following remarks the First Minister Peter Robinson is reported to have made at a business breakfast on Friday.
At the event, organised by the DUP in South Antrim and attended by senior party representatives, Mr Robinson is said to have revealed that the decision was due "within days".
The row over the application to extend the existing runway by almost 600 metres has been rumbling on since November 2008 but has intensified in recent months.
East Belfast MLA Dawn Purvis is opposed to the extension plan and believes that there could be more twists to the story, whatever the minister's decision.
The Progressive Unionist leader said: "I had concerns that any lifting of the cap on the 'seats for sale' numbers would, in effect, be the equivalent of a runway extension by stealth.
"However, yesterday the Minister responded to my written Assembly question and stated that, under the current planning agreement, the cap must remain in place until at least 2013, which is good news."
Ms Purvis is also concerned that the Executive does not have a regional aviation strategy and added: "Given the lack of proper assessment, a public inquiry, and action from the airport to deal with the concerns of local residents, I do not see how the expansion could be approved."
Her party colleague and Belfast City councillor Dr John Kyle said: "The public wants transparency and major strategic decisions can no longer be taken behind closed doors."
South Antrim MLA Danny Kinahan was also critical.
"This whole process is contaminated, not fit for purpose and a charade," said the Ulster Unionist Assemblyman.
A spokeswoman for the Environment Minister refused to be drawn on the remarks allegedly made by Peter Robinson.
In relation to the planning application currently under consideration, she said: "Planning officials are processing it as quickly as it is possible to do so and it is hoped to be in a position to make a decision on the procedural route to be taken to progress the application shortly."
A Belfast City Airport spokesman would make no comment except to say: "We are still awaiting a decision."
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Weather for Belfast
Wednesday 15 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 5 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 8 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: South west
