Blackpool Airport fury over permission for 73 homes that would block its growth


The airport has slammed Fylde council for failing to properly consider the detrimental
impact a new housing development could have on the region’s economy. In 
an unusual step Fylde councillors could be asked to reconsider granting approval
for 73 homes on the former Pontins site amid fears it will hamper the airport’s
ability to grow. The airport remains adamant some of the proposed 73 homes will
be affected by an increase in noise levels.

4.8.2011 (Blackpool Gazette)

BLACKPOOL Airport has slammed a council for failing to properly consider the
detrimental impact a new housing development could have on the region’s economy.

And in an unusual step Fylde councillors could be asked to reconsider granting
approval for 73 homes on the former Pontins site amid fears it will hamper the
airport’s ability to grow.

Airport bosses are set to submit a new noise report to Fylde Council this week
– and they hope it could be enough to see the case re-opened.

Planning permission for the land, owned by Northern Trust, was granted last month
and the Chorley-based company announced this week they hope work on the development
– which also includes a 275-home phase one – will begin within the year.

But Blackpool Airport spokeswoman Sue Kendrick said: “The noise report requested
is going to be completed and with Fylde Council this week and they will take the
decision whether to refer it back to the committee.

“It has to be referred to the Secretary of State anyway because of the greenbelt
issue and we will make representations with this as there appears to be a failure
to adequately consider the noise implications and the effect on the local economy.

“We hope Fylde Council will see the noise report and realise they have failed
to adequately consider the impact because they didn’t give us the time we requested.”

As a formality, the council needs to refer the scheme to the Secretary of State
because a small portion of the land falls within the green belt.

Northern Trust is due to begin consulting with housing developers about delivering
the scheme and a company spokesman said: “It is hoped that, subject to confirmation
from the Secretary of State and completion of a section 106 agreement, work will
commence on this important gateway site within 12 months.

“We look forward to working closely with Fylde Council and our development partners
to ensure a viable, high quality scheme is delivered as soon as possible.”

Mark Evans, the council’s assistant director of planning services, confirmed
the council was waiting for a noise report to be submitted by Blackpool Airport.
He added: “As for the case being reopened there’s no requirement to do that, it
depends on the findings of that noise report and we will have to wait and see.”

The Clifton Drive North site has been derelict since Pontins closed in 2009.

http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/local/airport_fury_over_homes_1_3643638
see earlier
 
 
 
Airport may lose homes block bid

editorial image 
 

View of the Pontins site

 

The airport want more time to prove the damaging impact the homes could have
on tourism after stepping in at the 11th hour last month to stop Fylde Council
approving the application.

But Northern Trust’s bid for 73 homes on the former Pontins site is due before
planners again next week – and councillors are being recommended to disregard
the airport’s objections.

A report prepared by planning officers says they believe the plan to transform
the Clifton Drive North site was “unlikely to pose a threat” to the airport’s
future expansion.

However, the airport – who have the support of Blackpool Council – remain adamant
some of the proposed 73 homes will be affected by an increase in noise levels.

Blackpool International bosses predict that by 2030 the airport will have grown
more than 800 per cent, something which has been criticised as “optimistic” by
Northern Trust.

An airport spokesman said: “Ultimately our passenger forecasts up to 2030 indicate
some housing in this area within the planning application will be affected by
an increase in noise levels.

“The method of forecasting passenger growth is in line with a previously published
White Paper and is done to protect potential home owners as well as to safeguard
the growth and future viability of the airport and in turn the economic benefit
to the Blackpool and Fylde coast region and local community.”

Since the application was deferred at June’s planning meeting, airport chiefs
have met with council officers and bosses claim they now need more time to carry
out “modelling work” on the noise contours which will allow councillors to make
an “informed decision”.

But if members follow the recommendation to allow the new homes – the second
phase of plans to redevelop the former holiday camp – will be given the go-ahead
on Wednesday.

A spokesman for Northern Trust said: “All of the issues raised by the airport
were addressed to the satisfaction of officers and members during the consideration
of our first planning application on the former Pontins site, and we note officers
remain satisfied the proposals for phase two are acceptable.”

The company already has permission for a 275-home phase one on land further away
from the airport.

But because part of the proposed site falls in the greenbelt, the Secretary of
State would have the final say on any approval from Fylde Council.

At the initial meeting into the plans, Coun Ben Aitken moved a notion to defer
the application and said: “I think it’s far better for us to try to resolve these
objections first of all rather than end up with the objections being transferred
to the Secretary of State.”