Chamber welcomes agreement in principal for investment at Leeds Bradford Airport

Following a lengthy examination of plans to redevelop the terminal building and supporting infrastructure, the Chamber welcomes the decision by panel members to approve in principal the investment being made at Leeds Bradford Airport. Chamber director Gerald Jennings, who represented members at the hearing said, “This is the right decision by Leeds City Council and I would like to congratulate plans panel members and Council officers for the detailed, robust and intense scrutiny given to this application. It is important that as this application moves forward into construction that all commitments to building the UK’s most efficient and sustainable airport terminal are met.

“The ambition for Leeds and the wider city region to be the best location for business and inclusive economic growth will be boosted by this new infrastructure. For many years our members and the wider business community have shared their frustrations that the airport does not meet their needs in terms of destinations served and quality of experience. Simply getting between the airport and our regional city centres is a challenge for business travellers and the arrival experience does little to sell the region as a place to invest. This development will bring the terminal close to the proposed new parkway station creating more integrated connectivity whilst providing passengers and staff more sustainable travel choices.

“We fully understand the need to reduce the region’s carbon emissions and we understand why many have voiced this concern in opposing airport redevelopment. As we have said previously simply continuing with the existing infrastructure will not deliver the reductions needed, nor do we feel that it is acceptable to simply export our carbon footprint to other airports and make it their problem to deal with.

“As we look to post-Covid recovery and as firms get to grips with new EU trade procedures the economic shot in the arm that this investment will bring cannot be understated. Firms across our region will welcome the improved passenger experience, greater connectivity and integration with the wider transport network and we look forward to continuing discussions with LBA to ensure the business voice is considered as part of their strategic aims and objectives.”