CONTROVERSIAL plans for a new terminal at Leeds Bradford Airport have been approved subject to consultation with the Secretary of State.

Leeds City Council's City Plans Panel gave its approval to the scheme at a meeting yesterday. This follows approval in principle last month for the £150 million scheme.

After the decision Vincent Hodder, CEO of Leeds Bradford Airport, said: “We are delighted that our plans for a replacement terminal have been awarded planning consent by Leeds City Council, enabling us to become an outstanding net zero airport, delivering a much-improved passenger experience and creating thousands of jobs, helping to support our region’s recovery.

"We would like to thank those that have supported our application through the statutory process and we will be consulting with stakeholders over the coming months on the appropriate next steps."

Chris Foren, chair of GALBA (The Group for Action on Leeds Bradford Airport) said: "Despite councillor after councillor expressing unhappiness at the conditions offered by LBA, it looks like threat of an appeal by the airport was the reason why Leeds City Council’s Plans Panel confirmed its approval of Leeds Bradford Airport’s planning application.

"We are disappointed but not surprised by that decision. GALBA remains committed to protecting the health of our climate and our communities by stopping airport expansion. We believe the decision should be considered at a public inquiry where the climate, noise, health and economic impacts can be properly and thoroughly investigated. Alternatively, we will challenge the Council’s decision in the courts. We have the resources and the determination to continue our campaign for as long as necessary."

Last month plans for the £150m overhaul of Leeds Bradford Airport were approved in principle by a panel of Leeds City Councillors.

It followed a mammoth eight-hour debate during which dozens of academics, campaigners and businesspeople spoke out for and against the plans.

The airport wants the “state of the art” terminal, as well as new parking and access facilities, and has a target of 2023 for opening. LBA hopes the number of annual passengers could increase from four million to seven million in the coming decades.

Objectors, which included climate scientists, transport experts and residents’ groups, warned such an expansion would help facilitate catastrophic climate change, as well as unbearable levels of noise pollution for those living close by.

But supporters, which included businesspeople and policymakers, said there was a risk the region could be left behind if it did not improve its airport, and that passengers would otherwise travel from other airports anyway.

The application sought to demolish the existing passenger pier to accommodate a new terminal building and forecourt area. This would also include the construction of supporting infrastructure, goods yard and mechanical electrical plant.

Plans were also included to modify flight time controls, and to extend the daytime flight period at Leeds Bradford Airport, with a likely increase from five to 17 flights between 6am and 7am.

A report to yesterday's meeting said: "This report has provided further information and conclusions in responding to the issues raised by the Panel, regarding the specific planning conditions, summarised at

the start of this report. Members will be aware that this application has already been approved in principle subject to the above matters being considered and satisfactorily resolved. These are the only matters that Members should be considering at this stage.

"Members should also bear in mind that officers considered that the scheme was acceptable in all matters as outlined in the previous report and the scheme has now additional contributions over and above what was previously reported."