POLICY E2
LAND IS ALLOCATED FOR AIRPORT RELATED USES AT NEWCASTLE AIRPORT:-
HECTARES
NE/NA09 NORTH OF NEWCASTLE AIRPORT. 24.85 ha
ON THE ALLOCATED LAND PLANNING PERMISSION WILL BE GRANTED FOR DEVELOPMENT WHICH IS REQUIRED FOR THE CONTINUED EXPANSION OF NEWCASTLE AIRPORT UP TO AND BEYOND 2006, HAVING REGARD TO THE AIRPORT MASTER PLAN, AND PROVIDED THAT: -
i) IT IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE OPERATION OR FUNCTION OF THE AIRPORT*; AND
ii) IT WOULD NOT CAUSE DEMONSTRABLE HARM TO INTERESTS OF ACKNOWLEDGED IMPORTANCE, INCLUDING RESIDENTIAL AMENITY.
* Airport Related Development is defined in the Glossary.
6.19.5 In each case it will be necessary for the Council to be satisfied that the proposed uses are directly related to the operation or function of the Airport. The Council will only permit development where it is satisfied that the overall continuing expansion of the Airport will not be prejudiced. The Council also recognises that, within the plan period, part of the land allocated under Policy E2A may be required for the creation of a new access corridor to serve the Airport complex.
6.19.6 Since the 1980's the Airport has grown rapidly to employ over 2,700 people, of whom approximately 500 are employed as seasonal staff for the summer period (1997 Figures). Passenger movements have also increased from 1.1 million in 1984, to 2.6 million in March 1997. There is every indication that this upward trend will continue and it is estimated that the number of staff and passengers may double over the next ten years.
6.19.7 The Airport Company prepared a Land Use Master Plan in 1994. The Master Plan identifies the way in which the Airport Company considers that facilities and land uses will need to expand in order to meet forecast demand. Land uses identified in the Master Plan include terminal building, short and long term car parking and ancillary activities. The recent extension to the terminal building has allowed for a capacity increase from 3 million passengers per year to almost 5 million.
6.19.8 It is important that the design and layout of new buildings are of a high quality as the development area is relatively prominent from the main road approaches to the Airport and accordingly will play an important part in the creation of an appropriate image for the Airport and its associated uses.
6.19.9 The Council is concerned that a strong boundary to the Green Belt be created between the proposed new development and open countryside and have resolved that a landscape zone of woodland planting be established north of the area designated for airport related development. (Planning Committee, 17 September 1990, Minute 41). A first phase of woodland planting was implemented in 1996 and future phases will be undertaken in accordance with the Landscape and Wildlife Strategy prepared by the Airport Company.