Leeds Bradford: Airport Consultative Committee [Questions & Responses]

[Aviador]

@White Heather yes indeed it was. I did write some things in abbreviated form and I tried to write who people were and who they were representing but it wasn't practical in the end which is why there's a lot of "one member said" in my report.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

My problem taking notes was by trying to keep up I had to scribble hastily and when the time came to 'write up' my notes I couldnt read them all!

 

[Aviador]

@LBAYORKIE it was agreed that more can be done to engage with the public and this would be looked at again to see where improvements can be made. There was a particular reference to ER and GALBA with regards to not responding. The general consensus from within the Committee I think was it is a difficult call when answering environmental groups. It was stated that the press tend to run with the story that's going to get the most readers not necessarily views that offer a common sense.

Latest Consultative Committee Meeting:

Airport Consultative Committee [Questions & Responses]

Or in other words refuse the new terminal plans and you end up with an extension to a none eco friendly terminal! Its just beyond believe, laughable in fact! Well it's a point we have been making to them for the last 18 months. They didn't listen. From their point if view it's a partial victory...

forums4airports.com

 

[Scottie Dog]

I'm delighted that the LBA Airport Consultative Committee permit questions from the public - something that is lacking at Manchester.

 

[Aviador]

I was there representing the LBA Support Group. I understand members of the public can request to attend. I'm not sure if this means to listen only or whether they can participate. @White Heather might know more on that.

 

[Scottie Dog]

Thanks for clarifying that point and I'm very pleased that the Committee has welcomed the group into it's business.

 

[airforced]

Thanks for the update Aviador. It was good to read that the airport were mindful of the alternatives should RJ kick the application out for whatever daft reason he thinks of at the time. Progress in some shape or form is better than no progress at all. I hope their awareness of time and dates remains vigilant.

 

[Aviador]

Thanks for clarifying that point and I'm very pleased that the Committee has welcomed the group into it's business.

Whether or not it is possible, it would be great to get people involved at other airports such as a "Manchester Airport Support Group" and use the Forums4airports platform to share the information in the same way it works here in the Leeds forum. I'm guessing you would need to write to MAG and ask them. Perhaps you could use a link to this page so they can see how it works in practice.

 

[White Heather]

I was there representing the LBA Support Group. I understand members of the public can request to attend. I'm not sure if this means to listen only or whether they can participate. @White Heather might know more on that.

In the past, members of the public, including the press (who never bother to attend these days) couldn't speak - only listen.

Thanks for clarifying that point and I'm very pleased that the Committee has welcomed the group into it's business.

The Support Group were invited to be in the Committee by LBA as there were no groups at all to represent supporters of the airport and to provide balance against the then vociferous anti airport group called LACAN. Think GALBA, mad as a box of frogs, but at least no hiding behind global warming. A straight up NIMBY group.
That was around 1989 I believe, so membership goes back around 32 years.

 

[Len Fish]

Aviador wrote:
There was a particular reference to ER and GALBA with regards to not responding.

The problem is any response would just be used to further these group’s own views. There’s no reasoning with them, they don’t want to listen to alternative arguments atop their blinkered, arrogant high horses.

 

[White Heather]

Aviador wrote:
There was a particular reference to ER and GALBA with regards to not responding.

The problem is any response would just be used to further these group’s own views. There’s no reasoning with them, they don’t want to listen to alternative arguments atop their blinkered, arrogant high horses.

Very true, but if there would be a benefit to responding, it would be to persuade those who might actually believe that GALBA speak the truth that actually, they don't. GALBA have an agenda, and will manipulate facts to achieve their aims. Sometimes the airport should call them out and demonstrate their lies rather than just taking it in the chin.
However we all know that whatever LBA say it will be twisted against them in some way, and it's difficult not to get embroiled in a tit for tat slanging match.

 

[Seasider]

Although it is frustrating to us enthusiasts that the airport do not react to the environmentalists, they do not want to get into a "slanging match". That would be picked up by the media who would only support the environmentalists.
As was said in a previous post, all they are interested in is selling "news" in what ever form it comes and people will pick up on this. As long as what they publish is not libelous (is that a word?) it doesn't matter if it is not true.

 

[White Heather]

Report on today's Consultative Committee, attended, surprisingly, by 28 people including airport staff and their consultants (Graylings).

Not a huge amount to report, but here is a brief summary.

1. Worth noting that there are quite a few new members in the Committee including the representative for the NW Leeds Inner Transport Forum - one Cllr Neil Walshaw. No further comment!

2. Terminal Development. Now 9 months and counting, awaiting a decision one way or t' other, or calling in. The CEO Vincent Hodder has written previously to the Minister and again to Michael Gove, seeking clarity on timescales. So have Leeds City Council. There has been no reply to any approach until a week ago when a response was received from Christopher Pincher MP, which answered no questions at all and was effectively a holding reply stating he couldn't comment as it could prejudice the decision of Michael Gove. LBA therefore have no idea as to when, or if, they will get a decision, or what that might be.
(It is my personal view that Gove will not give a decision on LBA until the outcome of the public inquiry at Bristol is published).

LBA confirmed again that it is the intention to submit to the board the option of proceeding with the 2019 terminal extension (45000 ft2) in the absence of a decision regarding the new terminal. It was confirmed that this project did commence and certain drainage works were undertaken. There also remains the option of the 2009 Crescent Infill project but this approval would lapse if the 2019 scheme goes ahead. It's one or the other, so effectively the 2009 scheme is dead, despite LBA already paying S106 payments connected to that schemes approval.

Clearly, the lack of clarity regarding the Ministers intentions is making it virtually impossible to make an informed decision as to whether to go ahead with the 2019 scheme or not. It seems likely though that this will be progressed further pending a final decision. No indications given as to when that might be.

3. Passenger figures.

October saw figures at 50% of pre Covid levels and November reached 60%. The new restrictions have seen an immediate drop in demand with loads reducing despite all flights operating. This has now led to a number of city routes being dropped during January and early February, by Jet2, and more are likely to follow if the restrictions remain.

LBA still expect a strong performance next summer but the winter is now likely to be quiet, especially in January and early February. A return to pre pandemic levels is not expected until 2023/4.

Jet2 and KLM both did particularly well during October/November.

Year to date April to October figures below. The figure in brackets shows the same month in 2019/20, graphically illustrating the impact if Covid.

April 2021. 1,274. (318,216)
May. 4,459. (393,152)
June. 15,206. (449,454)
July. 66,790. (482,145)
Aug. 136,647. (504,065)
Sept. 146,983 (446,894)
Oct. 177,751 (374,657)

Total to
31/10. 544,110. (2,968,653)


4. Graylings, who handle LBA press releases and PR did a presentation regarding how they work with the press, and how/why they respond to certain matters but not others. Among the information they supplied was that in the last 24 months, there has been 1,066 press articles about LBA. This peaked at up to 200 enquiries per day from press sources during the terminal development planning period (known as Project Sky). This has dropped to around 1 per day now.

5. Various questions asked about sustainability - LBA confirmed they have reduced CO2 emissions by 48% to date - obviously this will improve if the terminal is built. They are in regular discussion with airline partners about the future operations and emissions - reference to future ops using the A321NEO, A320NEO and 737 MAX. LBA have a significant meeting with all their major airline partners tomorrow - press coverage is likely.

6. Discussion on PCR testing. It was confirmed that PCR tests can be ordered for collection on arrival at LBA, with the test being done at LBA or taken home to do, no later than 2 days after arrival. It was clarified the 2 day test is ' no later than 2 days' not necessarily on day 2, so the test can be done at LBA on arrival if ordered in advance. Whether done at the airport, or at home, these do (of course) have to be sent for laboratory processing.

7. Next meeting is 23rd February 2022.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Many thanks for the Consultative Committee meeting digest, White Heather.

Press speculation now suggests that the result of the Bristol Airport appeal will not be announced until early in 2022. There was a chance of the decision being made by the end of this month but that seems to be receding.

Gove's predecessor had delegated the three planning inspectors who conducted the 36-day enquiry (spread over nearly three months) to decide the outcome of the BRS appeal. He could still have recovered the appeal when taking office to decide it himself, with the planning inspectors' non-binding recommendations taken into account. He chose not to do that and left it to the inspectors.

The BRS appeal is to increase their current 10 mppa planning cap to 12 mppa with related infrastructure expansion. Earlier this year three planning inspectors allowed Stansted Airport's appeal which permitted that airport to increase its planning cap by eight million to 43 mppa.

 

[White Heather]

Many thanks for the Consultative Committee meeting digest, White Heather.

Press speculation now suggests that the result of the Bristol Airport appeal will not be announced until early in 2022. There was a chance of the decision being made by the end of this month but that seems to be receding.

Gove's predecessor had delegated the three planning inspectors who conducted the 36-day enquiry (spread over nearly three months) to decide the outcome of the BRS appeal. He could still have recovered the appeal when taking office to decide it himself, with the planning inspectors' non-binding recommendations taken into account. He chose not to do that and left it to the inspectors.

The BRS appeal is to increase their current 10 mppa planning cap to 12 mppa with related infrastructure expansion. Earlier this year three planning inspectors allowed Stansted Airport's appeal which permitted that airport to increase its planning cap by eight million to 43 mppa.

Exactly. My thinking is that Gove wont approve as he would look rather silly then, if Bristol was rejected by the Inspectors, although what Bristol are seeking is significantly greater than what LBA is seeking. Our projected growth by 2032 is still short of Bristol's existing pre pandemic passenger throughput.

Equally, if he rejected LBA now, and then Bristol was approved, it would be hard to defend why LBA is singled out.

I would hope and expect that if Bristol is approved, the Gove will give the go ahead to LBA rather than insist on another expensive public inquiry - especially given that those we have had recently have all gone in favour of the airport.

 

[Easy289]

I'm assuming Mr Gove has been made aware that the LBA application under his review is not an expansion but a modernisation scheme???!!!!! The whole situation is completely farcical. How much longer is this nonsense going to continue?

 

[White Heather]

I'm assuming Mr Gove has been made aware that the LBA application under his review is not an expansion but a modernisation scheme???!!!!! The whole situation is completely farcical. How much longer is this nonsense going to continue?

The submission by Leeds City Council will be on that basis, but, there will be various MPs having words in his ear that are very much focussed on this being an expansion scheme. Indeed, I imagine some of them see the terminal as nothing more than a smokescreen to hide the planned expansion , despite the fact that the airport can expand anyway within the existing terminal if it's practical to do so ( there is no passenger limit per year at LBA), or by building the 2019 extension which has full planning approval .

Just imagine - if LBA had found a spot on the airfield that didn't infringe on Green Belt, it would not have needed to be submitted to the Minister at all.

 

[752]

Thanks for the update heather, again not much to report and sounds like LBA are equally frustrated about the terminal not getting signed off. This may sound stupid, but in theory could the terminal plans be moved to a different area of LBA ? or would this mean applying for planning permission again etc etc

 

[Aviador]

Thanks for the update heather, again not much to report and sounds like LBA are equally frustrated about the terminal not getting signed off. This may sound stupid, but in theory could the terminal plans be moved to a different area of LBA ? or would this mean applying for planning permission again etc etc

If it is a stupid question it's one I had pondered over too. Where exactly is the boundary?

 

[blotbuc1]

The current planning application for the new terminal relates to a specific application boundary within the LBA site. A different location would require a new planning application with all that entails!