Manchester Air freight expansion rejected by Wythenshawe Councillors

22.10.2009

Lib Dem Councillor and Wythenshawe Parliamentary Candidate Martin Eakins joined
local residents in celebrating the rejection of Manchester Airport’s air freight
expansion plans on Thursday 22nd October.

The plan to double air freight capacity at the expense of the historic and important
ecological site at Hasty Lane was unanimously rejected due to economic and environmental
concerns.

Air freight has halved in two years, and has suffered a constant decline in the
last 15 months as the recession shows no sign of recovery in aviation.

Cllr Eakins said: "I appreciate that Manchester Airport does, and will continue
to play a crucial part in our regional economic success – but it must take into
account recent legislation passed which will force the aviation industry to reduce
carbon emission to 95% of 2005 levels by 2012. As air freight has halved in the
last two years, it makes no economic sense to double the capacity when the Airport
will never get to use it!   Two beautiful family homes and an ecological paradise
at the edge of the Airport would be bulldozed if this had gone ahead, and I’m
delighted the Wythenshawe Area Committee have seen sense and rejected it."

The plans will now go to the main Manchester Planning committee which will have
the final say in November.

 

Notes to editor:

The original plan was to build two giant air freight cargo units, one of which
would demolish the 17th century grade II listed building ‘Rose Cottage’.   During
a year long campaign waged by local residents and Cllr Eakins, one of the cargo
units was eventually dropped, and Rose Cottage saved.

Revised plans containing the remaining unit and a planned four lane dual carriageway
went before the WAC today.

Cllr Eakins and Peter Johnson, tenant of one of the threatened homes, made representations
to the committee outlining their objections on environmental and economic concerns.
The committee then unanimously rejected the plans citing these concerns.

Air freight has dropped from its peak in Nov 07, to roughly half today

Source not known.

 

see also

 

Manchester Airport passengers down 9.4%

13.10.09

Manchester Airport’s passenger numbers fell 9.4% in September. The airport had
1.9 million passengers in the month compared to 2.1 million in 2008. Domestic
traffic fell 8.8%, scheduled international was down 5.3%, charter was down 13%
and private passenger numbers were down 88.9%.

Passengers for the 12 months to the end of September are down 11.5% compared
with the previous 12 months, and freight traffic measured in tonnes is down 32.8%
to 105,741 tonnes for the same period. Freight traffic fell 17.8% in September.

UK Airport News     http://www.uk-airport-news.info/manchester-airport-news-131009a.html

 

 

Manchester – Green leader lends weight to Rose Cottage campaign

10th March 2009       Dr Caroline Lucas has become the first national party leader to support the campaign
to save the historic Rose Cottage in Wythenshawe. Dr Lucas has campaigned nationally
and in the European Parliament for an end to airport expansions and a fairer tax
regime for the aviation industry. She said if Manchester airport increases its
air freight capacity, there will be many other adverse environmental effects,
as well as the loss of Rose Cottage. (SEMA)       Click here to view full story…



 
 
 
Manchester – Tea party airport protest

 

24th November 2008         Protesters staged a tea party in the grounds of an historic cottage to show their
opposition to plans to expand Manchester Airport. Airport bosses want to build
a £20m extension to the freight terminal on land off Runger Lane, Wythenshawe.
They have applied for permission to demolish Grade II-listed Rose Cottage and
three other historic properties nearby, as well as a natural pond and dozens of
mature trees. (Manchester Evening News)         Click here to view full story…