Coventry Airport hits new planning snag

COVENTRY Airport’s temporary passenger terminal could face further problems after the Government’s Planning Inspectorate deemed it an “unauthorised development”.

In a letter to the airport, senior inspector manager Peter Burley said the facility requires planning permission and an environmental impact assessment.

The inspectorate will back Warwick District Council’s enforcement notice to have the facility pulled down unless its order is followed. The airport had previously claimed an EIA didn’t need to be conducted because the development fell within “permitted development rights” rules, which allows the building of a 500sq metre construction without formal approval.

The move comes after the council applied to the Planning Inspectorate to consider whether the construction of the facility had breached planning procedures.

The decision is a blow to the airport, which thought its facility was in the clear after the High Court ruled against the council’s decision to seek an injunction to stop the facility being used (Travel Weekly May 31).

The Inspectorate also said the start of commercial flights from the airport has had a big impact on the level of traffic through nearby Bagington Village.