By Julian Whittle

Last updated at 12:03, Tuesday, 15 December 2009

The £25 million redevelopment of Carlisle Airport is threatened by a legal challenge from an Irthington farmer.

Gordon Brown

Gordon Brown has been given leave to apply for a judicial review of Carlisle City Council’s decision in 2008 to grant planning consent for warehousing and offices.

The High Court twice rejected his application, most recently in October.

But that ruling has now been overturned by the Court of Appeal in London.

The Rt Hon Lord Justice Sullivan has allowed the judicial review because, he says, it has a “real chance of success”.

His ruling is a blow to Stobart Group, which owns the lease on the airport, and to Carlisle City Council.

The court could order the council to withdraw the planning permission if the challenge ultimately succeeds.

Stobart Group wants to build an HQ at Carlisle Airport and warehousing for its Eddie Stobart road-haulage business, to replace facilities at Kingstown, Carlisle.

Mr Brown, of Lane End, directly opposite the airport, objected to the planning consent on the grounds there had been no adequate environmental-impact assessment. He also argued that the application should have been referred to a Secretary of State for a possible public inquiry.

The judicial review hearing will be held in the Court of Appeal next year.

First published at 11:22, Tuesday, 15 December 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk