Carlisle Airport Thread

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www.uk-airport-news.info/carlisle-airport-news-010409.htm

The £25m plans to redevelop Carlisle Airport have cleared another hurdle after planning consent has been officially released by Carlisle City Council. This means the Stobart Group, the company behind the scheme, can now exercise its option to buy the airfield and start the development work. Due diligence is currently being carried out before the deal is signed.

Release of planning permission was delayed until the council received a legally-binding document from Stobart promising to improve the runway and passenger terminal at the site. That was required in order to avoid the project becoming a purely commercial move to relocate the Eddie Stobart haulage company at the site, as some local campaigners had suggested would happen.

Under the redevelopment plan, passengers could soon board a plane at Carlisle and be in the centre of London in under one-and-a-half hours. Flights would operate between Carlisle and Southend Airport, which Stobart also owns. A railway station will be built soon at Southend, which will see trains running on a high-speed link to the site of the Olympics and London’s Liverpool Street station.

Airport director Richard Gordon said: ‘Things are moving. Nobody has ever got this far in developing the airport so we are in unchartered territory. It’s great news for Cumbria.’

www.uk-airport-news.info/carlisle-airport-news-010409.htm

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Stobart Group have today announced that they propose to complete their purchase of Carlisle Airport for £14 million by 30 May 2009 and begin work on the construction of their new HQ and distribution warehouse on the site as soon as practicable.

As CAX is currently effectively owned by Andrew Tinkler and William Stobart, Board approval has to be sought for the purchase and an EGM will be held on 30 May 2009 for that purpose. They say there could be delays in commencing work on the site due to uncertainty of when an agricultural tenancy on part of the site can be terminated and the possibility of a Judicial Review of the planning consent granted by Carlisle City Council.

This move should bring the prospect of a CAX-SEN scheduled service that much closer.

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The Stobart Group EGM held on Saturday duly passed the resolution to purchase Carlisle Airport.

It will be interesting to see how quickly the CAX infrastructure is improved - runway resurfacing/strengthening and provision of a passenger terminal - as that will dictate the timetable for the commencement of any possible CAX-SEN scheduled service.

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The application for a Judicial Review of Carlisle City Council's decision to grant planning consent for the redevelopment of CAX has been rejected by the High Court.

A new Airport Director will also take over in September in place of Richard Gordon, who is retiring. He is Andy Judge, currently Operations Director at LTN.

Perhaps things can now really start to move forward.

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Good news for the development of CAX is that local farmer Gordon Brown's High Court appeal for a Judicial Review of Stobart's planning consent has been thrown out. The judge issued his ruling a couple of days ago, saying that his case was 'unarguable'.

Meanwhile, the new Airport Director, Andy Judge, has been quite bullish about the prospects for scheduled services being established there. He speaks of a possible start date of Autumn 2010, but I believe Spring 2011 is more likely as considerable work will be required to bring the facilities at CAX up to airline operational standards.

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Up to nine jobs are at risk as part of a staff restructure at Carlisle Airport, including that of the chief fire officer. Airport director Andy Judge has confirmed that a consultation over job losses was underway. If it goes ahead as planned, airport operators Stobart Air say the restructure would see the creation of two new posts.

Mr Judge said: “We’re in a tough economic climate, everybody knows that. “We need to get the place on a proper commercial footing and be prepared to take ourselves forward in the difficult financial circumstances we find ourselves in at the moment. “There are nine jobs at risk, but it is a consultation process. We are going through that process over the next three to four weeks. “We hope that will lead to two new jobs, but this is a consultation and we will wait to see the outcome of that process.”

Mr Judge confirmed that the chief fire officer’s post was one of those at risk, but stressed that despite the restructure plan they would ensure the airfield was run within Civil Aviation Authority rules. He said he hoped to make the consultation as thorough as possible, adding: “We have looked at the whole airport. We’re not a huge organisation – quite small by some terms – and it is a small team. We have looked at everybody’s roles to make sure we get it right.”

Stobart Air is part of transport giant The Stobart Group, led by Carlisle-based businessmen Andrew Tinkler and William Stobart. The firm wants to build a headquarters and warehousing for its Eddie Stobart road haulage business at the airport to replace premises at Kings-town, Carlisle. But those plans have been delayed by legal challenges regarding grazing rights.

www.cumberland-news.co.uk/news/jobs_at_risk_in_carlisle_airport_shake_up_1_661202?referrerPath=home

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Plans for a major development at Carlisle Airport have been blocked by the Court of Appeal.

Judges found that the decision to give planning permission for a freight storage and distribution centre was unlawful.

They ruled that the city council should have conducted a full environmental impact assessment before approving the plan by Stobart Air.

The move follows an appeal brought by local farmer, Gordon Brown.

'Still committed'

Stobart chief executive Andrew Tinkler said the company was considering its options, as there were contracts it was committed to.

"If it's not possible to do it in Carlisle we'll have to look at other areas," he said.

"But we're still committed to Cumbria, and hopefully as time goes on we'll be able to get the solution we need at Carlisle Airport."

Councillor Mike Mitchelson, leader of Carlisle City Council, described the ruling as disappointing.

He said: "The city council will continue to work with the developer to bring forward improvements to Carlisle Airport for the benefit of the area.

"We will also give detailed consideration to the terms of the judgment and any possible grounds for appeal."

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cumbria/8692888.stm

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Current situation

Work has been put on hold at Carlisle Airport following the blocking of the planning permission. A slightly revised planning application will be submitted to remove the technical issue responsible for quashing it.

www.stobartgroup.co.uk/Images/file/Stobart%20Group%20Interim%20Results%2031%20August%202010%20Final%20%202.pdf

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New Planing Application

www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/carlisle-airport-bid-sees-200-000-passengers-by-2025-1.795402?referrerPath=news

Carlisle Airport could be handling 200,000 passengers a year by 2025 with an average of five inward and five outward scheduled flights each day.

That vision of a fully-fledged airport offering flights to UK and possibly European destinations is outlined in the latest planning application for the Crosby-on-Eden airfield.

Owner Stobart Group wants to resurface the runway and build a 394,000sq ft air-freight distribution centre.

It says the scheme would create the equivalent of 156 full-time jobs and safeguard 73 existing jobs.

But the planning application warns that the airport is not viable without redevelopment.

If it does not go ahead, jobs and investment would go to Cheshire, costing the Cumbrian economy £50m a year.

Stobart Group spokesman James Andrew said: “We can’t over-emphasise the importance of this to the future of Stobart’s in Carlisle.

“It will secure employment for the employees there and create new employment opportunities.

“[If it does not happen] there are alternative places where we can expand the business outside Cumbria.”

Mr Andrew said the first passenger route would be to Southend and be operated by the Irish airline Aer Arann using aircraft with up to 80 seats.

Other short-haul destinations could follow.

Stobart Group owns Southend Airport, which is one hour from London by train.

Planning permission for a £25m redevelopment of Carlisle Airport was granted a year ago.

However, Irthington farmer Gordon Brown sought a judicial review of the decision and the planning consent was quashed by the Court of Appeal in May.

Judges ruled that Carlisle City Council should have insisted on a full environmental-impact assessment.

The latest application from Stobart Air includes a 393-page environmental statement.

The proposal involves moving Eddie Stobart’s haulage depot at Kingstown, Carlisle, to the airport.

But, unlike in the previous scheme, there are no plans to relocate office jobs and Stobart Rail’s HQ, which would stay at the former Solway Business Centre in Parkhouse Road.

The planning application assumes there would be 3,650 passenger and 1,560 cargo flights each year by 2025 and an average of 276 heavy-lorry movements each day.

Councillors will consider the application in the New Year.

The council has already received four objections and 10 letters of support for the scheme.

At least three people have lodged requests to speak at the meeting including Mr Brown.

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This won't do Stobart's case much good

www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/report-casts-doubt-on-plans-for-airport-1.852274?referrerPath=news

An aviation consultant’s report appears to deal a blow to Stobart Group’s plans for Carlisle Airport.

Alan Stratford and Associates says passenger flights would not be “commercially viable” and that there is “very little potential” for air freight.

Carlisle City Council commissioned the firm to study Stobart’s proposals.

Councillors will take the findings into account when they consider the application, perhaps as soon as next month.

Stobart’s wants to build a 394,000sq ft freight-distribution centre and resurface the runway in readiness for passenger flights to London Southend.

It predicts 3,650 scheduled flights carrying 200,000 passengers a year by 2025 plus 1,560 cargo flights.

But Alan Stratford and Associates says: “We believe that both the passenger and cargo forecasts are too high.

“We acknowledge there is interest in establishing a new service to Carlisle from London Southend, probably operated by the Irish airline Aer Arann.

“In our view, a London route may be feasible but not commercially viable unless financially supported by the Stobart Group or perhaps through subsidy.”

The consultant’s report argues that the short runway, would limit potential for air freight.

The freight terminal would be used mainly for road freight, it claims.

The report questions Stobart’s figures for the number of staff employed.

It notes that the plans do not include an instrument-landing system, described as “highly desirable” for operational and safety reasons.

And it says Stobart’s may have underestimated noise from heavy lorries and has failed to assess if odours from aviation fuel or aircraft tyres might be a nuisance.

Stobart’s says it never claimed that passenger flights would be commercially viable from the outset.

Air freight would come from short-haul operations with smaller aircraft.

The distribution centre would employ 121 Eddie Stobart staff moved from Kingstown and create 69 additional jobs. There would be 20 new jobs on the aviation side.

Stobart’s says it has sought expert advice on environmental issues. And it argues that an instrument-landing system is not needed.

A company spokesman said: “We find it strangely contradictory that, on one hand, the report is concerned as to the commercial viability of the airport and, on the other, it’s recommending a large expenditure for a system that isn’t currently required.”

Permission to redevelop Carlisle Airport was granted in 2009. However, the consent was quashed by the Court of Appeal last year after Irthington farmer Gordon Brown sought a judicial review.

Judges ruled that the council should have demanded an environmental impact assessment

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Stobart Group has been given more time to prove that its proposals to bring scheduled passenger flights and air freight to Carlisle Airport are realistic.

City councillors had been poised to refuse Stobart’s planning application to redevelop the airport today.

The company wants to build a 394,000sq ft freight-distribution centre and resurface the runway.

But aviation consultants brought in by the council concluded that passenger flights would not be “commercially viable” and there was “very little potential” for air freight.

That led planning officers to advise councillors to refuse the application on the grounds that “the distribution centre appears to be primarily for road haulage rather than airport related”.

Stobart strongly disagrees and asked for time to challenge the consultants’ findings.

Councillors on the development control committee agreed. The planning application will now be heard on August 19 at the earliest.

Without redevelopment, the airport would close or be used as a private airfield for freight.

He outlined proposals for scheduled flights to London Southend. The company claims the airport will be handling 200,000 passengers a year by 2025.

The freight operation would use small aircraft to fly fresh produce to the Scottish highlands and islands and the Isle of Man.

Trevor Howarth, Stobart’s legal adviser, told the meeting that the council was wary of ignoring the advice of consultants in case it was challenged in the courts again.

He added: “The council’s experts and Stobart’s experts are poles apart. But the experts they have instructed were discredited at a public inquiry recently at Farnborough Airport."

Selected quotes from
www.cumberlandnews.co.uk/news/carlisle-council-delays-decision-on-stobart-group-s-city-airport-plan-1.858545?referrerPath=/news_round-up_1_50001

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Stobart Group has hit back at consultants’ claims that Carlisle Airport is unlikely to sustain passenger flights and air freight.

The transport company has tabled documents with Carlisle City Council outlining proposals for regular passenger flights to London Southend, Belfast and Dublin.

It says less frequent flights could operate to Inverness, Cardiff, Bristol, Southampton, Exeter, the Isle of Man and Channel Islands, and possibly European destinations.

Stobart also claims that Carlisle can become an air-freight hub for Tesco, flying in perishable goods from Spain and Holland for delivery to supermarkets across northern Britain.

The council’s aviation consultants concluded that passenger flights would not be “commercially viable” and there was “very little potential” for air freight.

That led planning officers to advise councillors to refuse the planning application on the grounds that it was “primarily for road haulage rather than airport related”.

But Stobart persuaded councillors to delay a decision to give it time to challenge the consultants’ findings.

Stobart’s aviation adviser, Mott MacDonald,CORR says the council’s consultants have not provided “statistical evidence” to support their claims.

It argues that Carlisle could handle 70,000 to 90,000 passengers a year within two years of flights starting, rising to 120,000 by 2020 and 165,000 by 2025.

The aim would be to have the first route to London Southend in place for the Olympics next summer.

Mott MacDonald cites figures from the Civil Aviation Authority showing that 38,000 passengers from Carlisle Airport’s catchment fly to London each year from Newcastle, Manchester or Scottish airports.

These are passengers travelling to the capital rather than connecting into onward international flights.

It says this shows there is demand for a Carlisle-London service.

Air freight operations would allow Tesco to fly in fruit, vegetables and flowers from Europe and get them to stores quickly, so prolonging shelf life.

Flights from Carlisle would also supply Tesco stores at Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis and Douglas, Isle of Man. Flights to supply Tesco stores in Northern Ireland could follow.

Mott MacDonald’s report adds: “If the operation to the Isle of Man and Stornway proves a success, Tesco could consider opening up stores in other remote island locations such as Islay, Kirkwall [in the Orkneys] and Lerwick [Shetland] supplied with perishable produce on a frequent basis from Carlisle Airport.”

Selected quotes from www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/stobart-group-hits-back-at-carlisle-airport-critics-1.873260?referrerPath=home/2.1962

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More delays
www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/fresh-delay-for-stobart-group-s-carlisle-airport-planning-application-1.958992?referrerPath=home

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Future should be decided at a July meeting of Carlisle City Council. Aer Arann have proposed basing an ATR-42 to fly to Dublin and Southend

www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/future-of-carlisle-airport-to-be-decided-in-july-1.966072?referrerPath=news

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In principle development approval granted. Conditions will apply
www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/stobart-group-gets-go-ahead-for-carlisle-airport-scheme-1.982191?referrerPath=news/flood_warnings_issued_for_carlisle_as_heavy_rain_returns