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Planners support runway expansion Planners support runway expansion
(39 minutes later)
Plans to expand the runway at Birmingham International Airport have been approved by councillors.Plans to expand the runway at Birmingham International Airport have been approved by councillors.
Solihull Council's planning committee unanimously backed the £130m project to extend the runway by 400m (1,329ft).Solihull Council's planning committee unanimously backed the £130m project to extend the runway by 400m (1,329ft).
But the final decision has been deferred until January after councillors review environmental measures to protect people in the area. But the final decision has been deferred until January so that councillors can review environmental measures to protect people in the area.
The project would allow larger aircraft and carriers of non-stop flights to the west coast of US and the Far East. The project would allow larger aircraft and carriers of non-stop flights to the west coast of the US and the Far East.
The manufacturers' group, the EEF, welcomed the councillors' decision but the Green Party called it a "disastrous decision". The manufacturers' group, the Engineering Employers' Federation (EEF), welcomed the councillors' decision but the Green Party called it a "disastrous decision".
'No brainer'
Under the project, the runway will be extended 405m towards Bickenhill and Hampton-in-Arden.Under the project, the runway will be extended 405m towards Bickenhill and Hampton-in-Arden.
Plans for a second runway for the airport were scrapped in September 2007.Plans for a second runway for the airport were scrapped in September 2007.
'Commercial pressure' Peter O'Grady, West Midlands spokesman for the EEF, said the expansion was "a much needed boost for the region's economy". The nine councillors have bowed to commercial pressure Felicity Norman, Green Party
Peter O'Grady, West Midlands spokesman for the Engineering Employers' Federation, said the expansion was "a much needed boost for the region's economy".
"Despite genuine concerns from local residents it was a no brainer for Solihull Council," he said."Despite genuine concerns from local residents it was a no brainer for Solihull Council," he said.
Mr O'Grady said people would no longer have to travel to London to visit places such as China and Japan.Mr O'Grady said people would no longer have to travel to London to visit places such as China and Japan.
"This will also mean easier access for business to the Asia-Pacific region and they will now have the chance to compete in those markets on an equal footing with companies in the South East and North West," he added."This will also mean easier access for business to the Asia-Pacific region and they will now have the chance to compete in those markets on an equal footing with companies in the South East and North West," he added.
Felicity Norman, Green Party Euro-MP candidate, said: "The nine councillors have bowed to commercial pressure, not looking after the interests of the people they are supposed to represent.Felicity Norman, Green Party Euro-MP candidate, said: "The nine councillors have bowed to commercial pressure, not looking after the interests of the people they are supposed to represent.
"Extending the runway is going to have a catastrophic and inexcusable impact on climate change, which in itself will have a negative impact on the world economy in the long term.""Extending the runway is going to have a catastrophic and inexcusable impact on climate change, which in itself will have a negative impact on the world economy in the long term."