The Future Blackpool International Airport Master Plan Blackpool Airport Ltd
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
WWW.BLACKPOOLINTERNATIONAL.COM The Future Blackpool International Airport Master Plan Blackpool Airport Ltd Serving Lancashire, Cumbria and the Northwest of England July 2007 MASTER PLAN 2007-2030 WWW.BLACKPOOLINTERNATIONAL.COM CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION 6. LAND USE – FUTURE AIRPORT 8.3.2 Current Assessment 8.4 Landscape and Built Development INFRASTRUCTURE Heritage 2. AIRPORT BACKGROUND 6.1 Introduction 8.5 Water Quality 2.1 History of the Airport 6.2 Apron, Runways, Taxiways 8.6 Visual Amenity 2.2 Location and Operational Facilities 8.7 Green Belt 2.3 Ownership 6.2.1 Aircraft Facility Demands to 2030 8.8 Ecology 2.4 Airport Site 6.2.2 Aircraft Stands 8.9 Community Involvement Policy 6.3 Passenger Terminal 2.5 Passenger Numbers 6.4 Hotel and Business Park 2.6 Aircraft Movements by Category 6.5 Business Aviation 9. SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC 6.6 Aviation Training and BENEFITS 3. THE PLANNING AND Maintenance Centre 9.1 Introduction 6.7 Flying Schools REGULATORY CONTEXT 9.2 Economic and Employment Effects 6.8 Operational Facilities 9.3 The Wider Economic Impact 3.1 National Policies 6.9 Investment 9.3.1 The Value of Connectivity 3.1.1 The Future of Air Transport 9.3.2 Synergy with Key Sectors 3.2 Other National Policies 9.3.3 Inbound Tourism 3.3 Regional Spatial Strategy 7. SURFACE ACCESS 9.3.4 Quality of Life for the Northwest 7.1 Introduction 3.4 Regional Economic Strategy 7.2 Existing Surface Access for the Northwest 7.3 Surface Access Proposals 10.PUBLIC CONSULTATION 3.5 The Northern Way 7.3.1 Vehicular Access to the Airport 10.1 Introduction 3.6 Joint Lancashire Structure Plan 7.3.2 Car Parking 10.2 The Public Consultation Process 3.7 Lancashire Local Transport Plan 7.3.3 Motorway Signage 10.3 Summary of Public Consultation 3.8 Fylde Borough Local Plan 1996-2006 7.3.4 Buses Feedback 3.9 Fylde Borough Local Development 7.3.5 Taxis Statement 7.3.6 Rail 7.3.7 Staff Travel Plan 11. APPENDICES Appendix 1. Glossary of Terms 4. WHITE PAPERFORECASTS Appendix 2. Airport Location Plan 4.1 Introduction 8. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND Appendix 3. Drawing of Existing 4.2 White Paper Forecasts MITIGATION MEASURES Airport Layout 4.3 Passenger Forecasts 2005-2030 8.1 Introduction Appendix 4. Phasing Plans 1-3 4.3.1 Forecasts to 2030 8.2 Aircraft Noise Appendix 5. Completed Airport Layout 8.3 Air Quality 5. AIRSPACE 8.3.1 The Legislative Context 03 1. INTRODUCTION Following the publication of the Government’s Transport (DfT) in their document ‘Guidelines Details of the consultation process are covered White Paper on ‘The Future of Air Transport’ on the preparation of Airport Master Plans’, in Section 10 of this document. in December 2003 the majority of airport July 2004. operators in the United Kingdom were asked It is important to emphasise that the Master to submit Master Plans to incorporate the The key objectives of the Master Plan are to: Plan has been produced at the request of the Government’s conclusions regarding the future - Enable on-going interaction between the key Government in response to the White Paper in development of airports to 2030. stakeholder groups by providing all interested 2003. It is not a request for planning approval parties with relevant information and but the airport’s vision for the future. A number of key priorities were set out in reference material relating to the airport’s ‘The Future of Air Transport’ White Paper future growth The Master Plan will be reviewed every five including those to; - Provide sufficient detail about the future of years to ensure that it remains relevant and - increase the choice of routes and services the airport essential to inform the local and appropriate. at airports outside the South East regional planning process. It will enable the - promote regional development proposals to be integrated into the Local In this Master Plan all references to ‘the airport’ - relieve pressure on the more overcrowded Development Schemes of both Fylde and mean Blackpool International Airport. airports by making the best use of existing Blackpool Borough Councils. In particular airport capacity will inform the process with the production - reduce the need for long distance travel to of an Action Area Plan which will be a and from airports Development Plan Document Encouraging people to fly on direct services The guidance suggests that local stakeholders from their local airport rather than making should be consulted in the preparation of a long journey to a hub airport not only the Master Plan. The Airport has undertaken reduces emissions but can also reduce travel an extensive consultation process with key time for business and leisure users. Since the stakeholders that have an interest in the change of ownership in 2004, Blackpool airport’s future. In particular the relevant local International Airport has grown from a authorities and regional agencies have had a municipal airport to an established regional copy of the draft Master Plan for comment. airport with international flights to over 20 destinations. The feedback from the consultation process was wide ranging and a number of the The Master Plan for Blackpool International comments and concerns raised by interested Airport has been produced following the parties including members of the public have guidelines set out by the Department for been addressed in the final Master Plan. 04 MASTER PLAN 2007-2030 WWW.BLACKPOOLINTERNATIONAL.COM 2. AIRPORT BACKGROUND 2.1 2.2 annum. There are a number of additional HISTORY OF THE AIRPORT LOCATION buildings and hangars located principally BLACKPOOL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Blackpool International Airport is one of the The airport is located 3.5 miles from Blackpool on the north side of the aerodrome. PASSENGER THROUGHPUT 2001-2007 longest established airports in the United town centre and is easily accessed by road. (000’s PASSENGERS) Kingdom. The major route to Blackpool is the M55, The Airport site is freehold. 2001 81 which links directly to the M6 motorway. 2002 70 Flying began at the airport in 1909, although a Road access to the airport from the M55 is via 2.5 2003 187 year later the land at Squires Gate was turned the A5230 Squires Gate Lane. There are also PASSENGER NUMBERS 2001-2006 2004 266 into a horse-racing course. This ceased with bus services from Blackpool North railway Until recently, the airport has only handled 2005 377 the outbreak of the First World War, and the station and the town centre. There is a railway a limited number of commercial flights and site turned into a military convalescent home station called Squires Gate located within five passengers on an annual basis. However, 2006 555 which eventually closed down in 1924. minutes walk from the airport with hourly the growth of low cost airlines has altered 2007 800 (ƒ) In 1939, the airfield was taken over and services to Preston and East Lancashire. the position over the last three years and SOURCE: CAA AIRPORT STATISTICS developed by the Royal Air Force. Four runways, passenger numbers have been steadily a range of hangars and ammunitions stores A location map can be found in Appendix 2. increasing as demonstrated in the table were subsequently constructed. opposite. BLACKPOOL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT 2.3 AIRCRAFT MOVEMENTS 2000-2006 At the end of the Second World War, Squires OWNERSHIP 2.6 Gate was designated a civil airport, during The airport is owned by MAR Properties, AIRCRAFT MOVEMENTS 2000 75,496 which time substantial alterations and with Blackpool Borough Council retaining There are currently around 1,695 business 2001 71,788 improvements were carried out in order to a 5% share in the airport. MAR Properties aviation movements at the airport, although this 2002 68,785 attract new business. Blackpool Corporation is a private company whose other main is forecast to increase as capacity constraints 2003 75,371 assumed ownership of the airport from the aviation interest is Wolverhampton Airport. increase at the major airports. 2004 76,314 Ministry of Aviation in 1962. In 1987, the airport The Airport employs its own management 2005 76,779 became a private limited company with the team and the company currently has 210 General aviation movements generated by 2006 65,990 Council holding 100% of the share. employees. helicopters and private aircraft are expected SOURCE: CAA AIRPORT STATISTICS to remain at the airport for the duration of this Since July 2004, MAR Properties Limited 2.4 plan. Helicopter and private aircraft movements have operated the airport, investing in the THE AIRPORT SITE currently account for around 72% of the overall infrastructure and attracting new flights The airport occupies 198 hectares. There is aircraft movements. and operators. one main terminal building of 3,800m2, with a capacity of 1.5 million passengers per 05 3. THE PLANNING AND REGULATORY CONTEXT Government at national, regional and in new locations by making the best use boundaries and land ownership. We consider, local level influences the operation and of existing capacity where possible therefore, that any proposals that come forward development of airports. This section outlines - Respects the rights and interests of those to cater for future expansion should be those policies that have a bearing on the future affected by airport development determined locally”. development of Blackpool International Airport. - Provides greater certainty for all concerned in the planning of future airport capacity, After London, the South East and Scotland, 3.1 but at the same time is sufficiently flexible the North West as a region has the highest NATIONAL POLICIES to recognise and adapt to the uncertainties propensity to fly and the growth over the inherent in long term planning period of the Master Plan is expected to 3.1.1 increase significantly and notably higher ‘THE FUTURE OF AIR Of particular relevance to Blackpool than the other regions.