Runway Plans Set To Soar?

A decision on the controversial application to extend the runway at the George Best Belfast City Airport may be just days away.

The South Antrim MLA, Danny Kinahan, (pictured) has told the Environment Minister that "it's still not to late to do the decent thing" with the Ulster Unionist MLA commenting: "I sincerely hope Mr Poots will do the decent thing and reject this ill-prepared planning application.

"It should be consigned to the bin, especially since the damning CAA Report on noise was released which called into question the very basis of the application.

"This whole process is contaminated, not fit for purpose and a charade. This report was buried by the planners for three months which meant there was no transparency or credibility in this exercise.

"This appears to lack integrity. It was only made public on a Freedom of Information appeal - a decision made by the CAA, and not the Planning Service or Mr Poots.

"Tell the airport to go back to drawing board. Is the CAA wrong or has the airport been misrepresenting the situation?

"Despite assurances given by the airport, the CAA has rejected the case. It's time for Mr Poots to prove his credentials and reject this foolhardy and ill-judged planning application," he said.

Mr Kinahan was commenting following reports that the First Minister, Peter Robinson said that a decision was "within days" of being made.

Concerned residents and anti-runway campaigners are bracing themselves for Edwin Poots' determination - following remarks attributed to Mr Robinson at a business breakfast on Friday.

At the event, organised by the DUP in South Antrim and attended by senior party representatives, it was revealed that the decision is imminent.

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.

The DUP's First Minister's own Westminster and Assembly constituents will be the hardest hit by the runway plan, if approved, yet Mr Robinson has so far failed to either firmly oppose or reject the planned extension.

However, he has said - in a News Letter interview last year - that more weight must be given to local residents' views.

The East Belfast MP said that the Planning Service was giving too much weight to the airport's views and those of its rival, Belfast International Airport.

East Belfast MLA Dawn Purvis is firmly opposed to the extension plan and she also believes that there could be more twists to the story, whatever the Minister's decision.

A spokeswoman for the Environment Minister refused to be drawn on the remarks allegedly made by Peter Robinson.

See: Report Slams Runway Extension Bid

See: Local MP 'Joins' Runway Debate

(BMCC/GK)