Stobart pushes back airport deadline

Stobart Group has pushed back the deadline for its £15 million purchase of Carlisle Airport after the planning application was called-in by the secretary of state.

The developer had aimed to buy the airport, including 460 acres of land, in March, in order to consolidate its operations on the site, build a new logistics hub and upgrade the airport.

It has now agreed to extend its option to buy the site by six months, following the calling in of the plans last month.

Carlisle city council had approved the plans for a new runway, terminal, hangars, warehousing and offices, but the government withdrew permission saying a local authority cannot rule on a scheme so important, the Cumberland reports.

The public inquiry means Stobart would miss its February 2009 deadline for starting work at the site, but the board has voted unanimously to extend its option on the site, paying owners Carlisle city council £50,000 to do so.

Rodney Baker-Bates, chairman of Stobart Group, said: "The airport enables Stobart to consolidate its operations and create and save jobs for several hundred people in Carlisle.

"We very much hope for a speedy conclusion to this matter. This will minimise the uncertainty of many of our employees who may be subject to relocation pending the decision on the airport."

The airport is located 11 kms east of Carlisle and the M6.

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