Plans that would have seen a major investment in Carlisle Airport have been put on hold after the government ‘called in’ the proposals.
Stobart Air, which manages the Cumbrian airport, has said it would invest in a new runway, a control tower and other facilities in order to transform the area, but Local Government Secretary Hazel Blears has said the plans are of “greater than local importance”.
Now Carlisle City Council officials, who gave approval for the plans in April, will work with Stobart Air to look at ways to get the proposals back on track; tourist chiefs also backed the airport revamp, claiming it would help the region
Rodney Baker-Bates, Chairman of Stobart Group Limited, 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 proposed plans would also see the offices of Eddie Stobart, the Cumbrian-based haulage firm, move to the site, as well as the development of an air freight terminal.
