Bradford Council have failed to stand up for residents over Leeds Bradford Airport expansion: Yorkshire Post Letters

From: Coun Jackie Whiteley (Con), Shadow Spokesperson for Planning and Highways, Bradford Council.
Should Leeds Bradford Airport be given permission to expand?Should Leeds Bradford Airport be given permission to expand?
Should Leeds Bradford Airport be given permission to expand?

I AM now in possession of Bradford Council’s response, as a statutory consultee, to Leeds Bradford Airport’s planning application to Leeds City Council.

I am extremely disappointed in the response, which raises no objections and makes no formal request, as I had implored them to do.

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I asked for the application to be split into improvements to the terminal buildings and a separate application to consider the increase in flying hours.

Noise levels from Leeds Bradford Airport have prompted Tory councillor Jackie Whiteley to speak out.Noise levels from Leeds Bradford Airport have prompted Tory councillor Jackie Whiteley to speak out.
Noise levels from Leeds Bradford Airport have prompted Tory councillor Jackie Whiteley to speak out.

I am concerned that extending flying hours will be overshadowed by the economic imperative to improve facilities at the airport.

The concerns of Bradford residents haven’t been listened to by the Labour-controlled council and Leeds Bradford Airport has not directly consulted about the extension to flying hours, which greatly concerns us, because 75 per cent of flights come over us – Burley in Wharfedale, Menston, Ilkley and Baildon in particular.

This leaves us totally at the mercy of Leeds City Council. West Yorkshire Combined Authority, currently chaired by our own council leader, Susan Hinchcliffe, is also keen to see the airport’s expansion.

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I made it clear that my main concern related to the increase in flying hours, especially night flying.

Leeds Bradford Airport expansion plans continue to divide political and public opinion.Leeds Bradford Airport expansion plans continue to divide political and public opinion.
Leeds Bradford Airport expansion plans continue to divide political and public opinion.

As a district councillor, I am astonished to read that the airport claims to have consulted with me and my colleagues. They have not done so.

For this reason I believe Bradford Council should have taken a tougher stance to protect its own residents. They have declined to do so.

As someone who lives under the current flight path, I can testify that I am woken up every morning by the first flight after 6am.

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Mothers write to tell me their babies are woken by night flights and I receive many, many complaints each year, especially in the summer, when windows are open.

The flight path is the real culprit and this needs closer consideration – flying over fields between the villages would remove many of our concerns. I hope this application provides the opportunity to do so.

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Sincerely. Thank you.

James Mitchinson

Editor

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