Kinahan Call on Poots to ditch Airport plan

South Antrim MLA, Danny Kinahan, has told the Environment Minister that it's still not to late to do the decent thing over the controversial application to extend the runway at the George Best Belfast City Airport.

Mr Kinahan was commenting following confirmation from the First Minister, Peter Robinson, that a decision was "within days" of being made.

The Ulster Unionist MLA said: "I sincerely hope Mr Poots will do the decent thing and reject this ill-prepared planning application.

"It should be consigned to the bin, especially since the damning CAA Report on noise was released which called into question the very basis of the application.

"This whole process is contaminated, not fit for purpose and a charade. This report was buried by the planners for three months which meant there was no transparency or credibility in this exercise. This appears to lack integrity. It was only made public on a Freedom of Information appeal - a decision made by the CAA, and not the Planning Service or Mr Poots.

"Tell the airport to go back to drawing board. Is the CAA wrong or has the airport been misrepresenting the situation?

"Despite assurances given by the airport, the CAA has rejected the case. It's time for Mr Poots to prove his credentials and reject this foolhardy and ill-judged planning application. Over to you, Minister".