Action Briefing June 2004-July 2004
	The Newsletter of Birmingham Friends of the Earth

West Midlands News

Baginton in the bag?

The High Court case brought by Warwick District Council against Baginton Airfield (or Coventry Airport as the operators would like to be known) was thrown out by the Judge Elizabeth Gloster QC.

Mrs Justice Gloster was highly critical of the District Council, ruling that an injunction to stop flights and force the demolition of the temporary terminal would be wholly inappropriate and an abuse of the judicial process. The Council have indicated that they won't appeal against this decision, preferring instead to pursue their planning responsibilities, and this will probably result in a public inquiry next year, according to the planning inspectorate. The delay is angering local residents and the Council alike as, given the severity of the case, a quick turn-around was expected.

As the smaller airfields fight out their cases with local people and the planning system, Solihull and East Birmingham are bracing themselves as the leviathan that is Birmingham International Airport, prepares to unleash its Master Plan for a second runway and extending the existing runway, along with the additional roads, car parks, buildings, plus, of course, more flights.

The Midlands is increasingly under threat from both local airport developments and the proposed massive expansion in air space currently being pursued by Nottingham East Midlands Airport, which will affect many in East Staffordshire, the Moorlands and North Warwickshire. However, forty or so MPs are attempting to get to grips with aviation issues through the fledgling all-party Parliamentary Sustainable Aviation Group. Next time you're in correspondence with your MP, ask them if they're a member of this group? And if not, why not?

Chris Crean