Agenda item

PREAPP/20/00018 - New Terminal Building and Change In Daytime Flight Regime at Leeds Bradford International Airport

To consider a report by the Chief Planning Officer which sets out details of a pre-application proposal which seeks a new Terminal Building and Change In

Daytime Flight Regime at Leeds Bradford International Airport.

 

 

(Report attached)

Minutes:

The Chief Planning Officer submitted a report which sets out details of a

Pre-application proposal which sought the provision of a new terminal building and a change in the daytime flight regime at Leeds Bradford International Airport.

 

Members visited the site prior to the meeting. Site photographs and plans were displayed and referred to throughout the discussion of the application.

 

The applicant’s representatives addressed the Panel, speaking in detail about the proposal and highlighted the following:

 

·  Site / location / context

·  At the current time Leeds Bradford Airport was not looking to construct the approved extension (Application No. 18/06788/FU approved December 2018) but intends to upgrade the airport’s facilities by building a new passenger terminal.

·  The new terminal would be environmentally sustainable, high quality, modern (fit for purpose) and would improve passenger experience, satisfy future demands and enable the airport to deliver on a highly ambitious sustainability agenda.

·  The new building will be located to the eastern area of the airport on the existing runway apron.

·  The building is likely to be three floors (including a mezzanine level) and will be 34,100 sqm

·  Lower ground floor will provide surface access to the forecourt and access to the main terminal by lifts and escalators

·  Ground floor (main terminal) will provide the check in hall and the arrivals halls along with baggage reclaim, customs and baggage make up

·  First floor mezzanine (main terminal) will include immigration and associated facilities linked to the western walkway

·  Second floor (main terminal) – this includes central search and departure lounge with associated retail, food and beverage, duty free and premium lounges. It provides direct access

·  A western walkway will be provided alongside the new terminal building and will provide contact stands for approximately 12 aircraft.

·  The new terminal building will be targeted as an ‘excellent’ accredited rating under the BREEAM standard which will be designed to maximise energy efficiency and incorporate energy generation on site.

·  The proposal will involve a new and modified vehicular (and pedestrian/cycle) access from Whitehouse Lane. The existing car park will be reconfigured to provide new internal service roads, bus parking and pick up and drop off points. A new forecourt will be provided to the east of the terminal building.

·  The proposal will also involve the relocation of the existing fuel tanks and reconfiguration of the existing car parking. The intention is to maintain the same level of parking, and if additional car parking is required this can be provided at Viking Car Park, which is owned by the airport.

·  The proposal also involves changes to the day time flight regime which was originally approved in 1993. The current daytime period for the airport is 0700 to 2300, with the night time period 2300 to 0700. The proposal is to change the daytime period so it will be 0600 to 2330 and shorten the night time period to 2330 to 0600.

 

Members raised the following questions:

 

·  Why was it crucial that the flight regime is changed

·  Had local community groups been consulted about the proposed new flight times

·  What are the proposals for the old terminal building

·  What were the proposals to protect residents from aircraft noise at night

·  The City Council had recently declared a climate emergency, why were you not using the existing planning permission

·  Does freight fly from LBA

·  Could a further explanation of quota counts be included in any subsequent reports to Panel

·  How will future automation impact on job growth

·  How will passengers be kept dry outside the terminal building

·  Is the design of the terminal building ‘future proofed’

·  How will public transport expansion be progressed in connection with the airport expansion

·  What are the airports plans to9 achieve net zero carbon 

 

In responding to the issues raised, the applicant’s representatives said:

 

·  Members were informed that flight-times were changing (06.00 – 23.30) to fit in with other EU and UK airports and ensure efficient use of aircraft (carriers want to rotate aircraft 3 times a day to maximise their assets)

·  It was reported that the consultation process had only just started and included plans for community group engagement

·  Members were informed that, for now the air traffic control tower would remain but the rest of the terminal building would be demolished to be replaced with hotel, office and warehousing accommodation linked to the airport in the long term

·  In terms of noise mitigation measures, it was reported that proposals were still at an early stage but control and management of the flight time regime would be undertaken with greater levels of protection being put in place. Noise Consultants had been instructed and the airport understood their obligations to protect residential amenity

·  Implementing the existing planning permission would ne be environmentally sound in the context of changing Government Policy. It is intended that the new terminal building would achieve an ‘excellent’ accredited rating under the BREEAM standard which would be designed to maximise energy efficiency and incorporate energy generation on site. There was also a requirement to fit new X-ray equipment within the new terminal building and the new configuration allows new aircraft (quieter and more fuel efficient) to be brought in.

·  Members were informed that no freight flew from LBA and there were no future discussions planned

·  Offers confirmed that further details on quota accounts would be included in future reports to Panel

·  The job projection forecasts would take account of planned automation processes

·  There would be a 30m plaza off-set to the new terminal which could include canopies to the bus terminals and taxi ranks

·  The design of the terminal building is initially planned to accommodate 50,000 passengers. It is a modular design which would allow future expansion if required

·  It is anticipated that the planned train station will be operational by 2023 with bus shuttle times to the airport of no more than 2-3 minutes. There will also be additional bus route frequency

·  The buildings and operations airside will be net zero by 2023. For flights the zero carbon targets are linked to Government Policy.

 

The Panel heard from Nicky Ford and Robert Huggle, Leeds residents who objected to the proposals

 

Ms Ford said that only recently Leeds City Council had declared a climate emergency and we now found that proposals were coming forward for a new airport with an increase in passengers from 4 million to 7 million which will result in significant increase in CO2 emissions. The responsible residents of Leeds do not want this, only 3% of residents would fly from Leeds, so where was the benefit. Aircraft noise is a big issue and a lot of children find it difficult to sleep if they are in the flight path, noise is a mental health issue which can bring on stress and anxiety.

 

Mr Huggle said that he supported the comments made by Ms Ford and in addition he welcomed plans for a new carbon policy for the airport by 2030 and suggested that we must see Leeds become a greener city

 

Questions to Ms Ford

 

·  What has been your experience of aircraft noise over the past 10 years

·  Aircraft noise may be reduced from newer aircraft

·  It is anticipated there would be a large increase in passenger numbers, if they didn’t go to Leeds/Bradford they would travel by car/train to Manchester creating more CO2 emissions

 

In responding Ms Ford said:

 

·  Aircraft noise leads to a pause in conversation. Night-time flying is now more of a problem, scary even terrifying. Also you can hear the planes on landing from the reverse thrust

·  The climate emergency provides new opportunities for new ways of working. Unless planes can be much cleaner then society needs to reduce flying

·  I would like to see sustainable travel to all areas.

 

Questions to Mr Huggle

 

·  Would you consider the carbon emissions to be acceptable

·  CO2 emissions from the UK were dropping but this was not the same with other countries

 

In responding Mr Huggle said:

 

·  There was a general commitment to reduce CO2 levels, more big changes were required, cleaner planes in particular

·  I live in Leeds and take responsibility for Leeds levels. Per Capita emissions in the UK is greater than elsewhere

 

In drawing the discussion to a conclusion Members provided the following feedback:

 

·  Members expressed the view that there was too little detail within the report and greater information was required on the matters they had raised

·  The Panel need a greater understanding of aircraft noise

·  Members asked that a workshop session be established to provide clarity on a number of issues and allow Members the opportunity to consider the best way forward

 

 

The Chair thanked the developers and local residents for their attendance and contributions suggesting that proposals were at an early stage and far more detailed information was required

 

RESOLVED –

 

(i)  To note the details contained in the pre-application presentation

 

(ii)  That the developers be thanked for their attendance and presentation

 

(iii)  That a workshop session be established up to provide clarity on a number of issues and allow Members the opportunity to consider the best way forward

 

Supporting documents: