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Stobart plans to appeal against Carlisle decision
STOBART GROUP IS planning to appeal against a court decision to block planning approval for a freight storage and distribution centre at Carlisle Airport.
Permission for the airport-based development was originally granted by Carlisle Council in April 2008, but the Court of Appeal this week found that the decision was unlawful because the council should have conducted a full environmental impact assessment before giving approval. As well as freight facilities, the plans included a new runway, passenger terminal and air traffic control centre.
The original planning decision was challenged by a local farmer.
Carlisle City Council leader Mike Mitchelson says: "There has not been
any indication that the proposed development was going to be allowed to proceed without a proper assessment of the proposed development and its implications."
Stobart Group chief executive Andrew Tinkler says: "We are very disappointed with the decision that the planning approval has been quashed. The application has therefore been returned to the City Council for redetermination.
"We intend to appeal as we feel the court has not given due regard to us as an airport operator."
However, Tinkler adds that Stobart Group also has "little choice but to start looking at alternative options and sites that will also satisfy the requirements of the expanding Stobart business".