City Airport Extension Inquiry Sought

The Green Party are pushing for MLAs at Stormont to vote in favour of a public inquiry into controversial proposals to extend the runway at the George Best Belfast City Airport.

The politicians are to debate the issue on Tuesday when the debate reaches the Assembly floor in a move sponsored by the Green Party.

This will be the first time that a planning application has come before the Assembly, and MLAs from all parties have been lobbied by residents' groups opposed to the extension to support the motion.

Fiona McKinley of Belfast City Airport Watch told the Belfast Telegraph: "MLAs have got to be emphatic and clear. Their message to Sammy Wilson and his planners must leave them in no doubt that such a scheme is not wanted by the thousands of people whose lives are affected by the operations of an expanding urban airport."

The campaigners are hoping that the Minister will follow his own lead and set up a public inquiry, such as that just confirmed into the equally controversial proposals to expand the Sprucefield Retail Park outside Lisburn with a John Lewis department store and 19 additional retail units.

Tomorrow's Green Party motion calls on the Environment Minister to set up a public inquiry into the airport extension to "properly test all the relevant economic and environmental arguments".

Meanwhile, Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary has said that he is "fairly satisfied" the Northern Ireland Planning Service will approve the proposal for a longer runway at the facility.

Speaking on a BBC Spotlight programme broadcast just two weeks ago, the budget airline's Chief Executive related that he believes the runway will be extended, despite growing opposition to the move.

He is thought that such a development is essential to Ryanair's progress in Belfast - although it also operates from City of Derry Airport.

It is needed to allow him to fill all the seats on aircraft already being operated - but subject to weight restrictions because of the 'short' runaway.

See: Ryanair Boss 'Rejects' Belfast City Runway Inquiry