Leeds Bradford Airport has submitted four new applications for night-time flying, which are currently under review by Leeds City Council. The council is inviting the public to submit factual evidence about the flights in question between 2008 and 2019, and the decisions will be based strictly on this evidence as per national law.
What is the current status of Leeds Bradford Airport’s night-time flying applications?
Leeds Bradford Airport has submitted four new CLEUD applications for night-time flying, which are currently under review by Leeds City Council. A call for evidence is open until January 26, inviting public submissions of factual evidence about the flights in question between 2008 and 2019. The council’s decisions will be based strictly on factual evidence as per national law.
Review of Night-Time Flying Permissions
Leeds Bradford Airport has recently become the focus of administrative activity due to a series of submissions to Leeds City Council. The airport submitted four new Certificate of Lawful Existing Use or Development (CLEUD) applications last month. These applications have now been made accessible to the public on the council’s planning system. They critically examine whether specific night-time aircraft movements are permissible under current regulations.
The applications in question have been submitted concomitantly with a request from the airport to retract four prior CLEUD applications. This move indicates a strategic reassessment by the airport of its legal permissions concerning night operations. Leeds City Council has outlined a clear process for dealing with these new applications, adhering strictly to national legislation and planning guidelines.
In a statement, Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s executive member for sustainable development and infrastructure, elaborated on the procedure, “The call for evidence means that third parties, including members of the public, have an opportunity to provide relevant evidence on these two applications.” The council’s approach is one of meticulous scrutiny, seeking factual data to inform its decisions.
Call for Evidence Process Initiated
The council is currently undertaking a ‘call for evidence’ for two of the new applications, inviting third parties to submit factual evidence. This includes data regarding flight times, frequency, and the size of aircraft that pertain to the operations outlined in the applications. Importantly, this call for evidence is focused on the period between January 1, 2008, and December 23, 2019.
“It must be stressed, however, that decisions on the applications cannot take into account evidence or comments which fall outside the determination process’s tightly-defined parameters,” Councillor Hayden underscored. This distinction emphasizes the council’s intent to base the decision purely on factual evidence rather than public opinion or general comments, which cannot be considered during the determination process.
The specific applications under scrutiny, identified as 23/07489/CLE and 23/07490/CLE, have their flight movement data submitted by the airport. Individuals possessing relevant evidence are encouraged to participate by submitting their findings. This approach underscores a commitment to transparency and due process.
Submission Details and Next Steps
Leeds City Council has provided a platform for individuals to share their evidence directly by emailing planning@leeds.gov.uk, with a deadline set for submissions no later than Friday, January 26. In line with standard practice, any evidence received will be reviewed and then shared with the applicant before the assessment and determination of each application.
The council’s methodical process is governed by regulations from the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. Decisions are to be founded on factual evidence that meets a strict legal test laid out by national law, not local policy. “These parameters are not set by planning authorities such as the council, they are laid down in national law,” noted Councillor Hayden, reinforcing the legal framework that governs the council’s upcoming decisions.
The outcome of these applications will have significant implications for Leeds Bradford Airport’s operations and its relationship with surrounding communities. As the city awaits the council’s verdict, the importance of the community’s input through factual evidence becomes even more pronounced.
For more information regarding the applications or to access the public access planning system, interested parties can visit the Leeds City Council Planning Portal.
ENDS
- Leeds Bradford Airport has submitted four new applications for night-time flying, which are currently under review by Leeds City Council.
- The council is inviting the public to submit factual evidence about the flights in question between 2008 and 2019.
- The decisions on the applications will be based strictly on this evidence as per national law.
- The airport has also requested to retract four prior applications, indicating a strategic reassessment of its night operations.
- The council’s process for reviewing the applications involves a call for evidence, focusing on flight times, frequency, and aircraft size during the specified period.