A farmer this week took his fight to halt the expansion of
Thomas Brown, from Irthington, is hoping to win a ruling quashing Carlisle City Council’s grant, in 2009, of planning permission for a new freight storage facility and distribution facility at the airport. He claims that these form part of a major redevelopment that has not been subject to proper environmental scrutiny.
When the council granted planning permission to Stobart Air, the proposal for the storage and distribution facility was made subject to a condition that required the submission and approval of essential infrastructure improvements to the airport, including a repaired and improved runway and a new terminal building.
Brown claims that, as a result of this condition, the environmental effect of the scheme should have been considered before permission was granted.
He alleges that Stobart Air, by applying first for permission in respect of the storage and distribution facility, was trying to “project split” in order to avoid the European Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations.
Brown claims that the council had failed to: (i) take the EIA regulations into account; (ii) give adequate reasons to support its decision; and (iii) refer the application to the secretary of state for communities and local government.
Brown’s challenge was rejected by Owen J last October.
The Court of Appeal has reserved its decision, to be given in writing at a later date.
