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We're 6 hours in to Leeds City Council's Plans Panel debating whether to allow the expansion of Leeds-Bradford Airport.
And I've no idea which way this is going to go...
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And I've no idea which way this is going to go...
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This seems like a perfect example of a tricky decision. Within the framework the planning panel is working in, it's hard for councillors to know how much weight to place on the climate emergency.
(the climate emergency Leeds City Council declared in March 2019)
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(the climate emergency Leeds City Council declared in March 2019)
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Climate is being mentioned A LOT, but whether that will be the deciding factor remains to be seen.
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Economic arguments seem to suggest that we should expand the airport. Other airports have more flights (we're looking at you Manchester 
) and we have less, so let's be competitive and share some of the ÂŁÂŁ and benefits of a quality local airport.
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) and we have less, so let's be competitive and share some of the ÂŁÂŁ and benefits of a quality local airport.4/
Environmentally, airport expansion anywhere is a terrible idea. We need to fly less, not more if we want to continue living in a habitable world. (yes please!)
But airport expansion relies on national policies and decisions.
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But airport expansion relies on national policies and decisions.
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So clearly the problem we have is that local politicians are trying to make a decision about airport expansion, which is somewhat out of their control and remit.
Supporters therefore say don't worry about flight emissions, let's expand and enjoy the benefits.
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Supporters therefore say don't worry about flight emissions, let's expand and enjoy the benefits.
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But for anyone who understands the dangers posed by the climate crisis, expanding any airport is a bad idea, even if it's got tempting benefits for a small group of us.
It's typical of the climate crisis: we can cause distributed global harm, but enjoy great local benefits.
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It's typical of the climate crisis: we can cause distributed global harm, but enjoy great local benefits.
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I've no idea which way this will go, but clearly, either way, we need a more joined up approach between national (and international) climate policies, and local climate policies.
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The livestream goes on, and we await their decision:
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Cllr David Blackburn has just made this same point - âShouldnât these decisions be made nationally? Otherwise we could reject expansion but some other airport could go and expand!â
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Cllr Finnigan says this decision is a case of going with the heart (rejecting expansion) or going with the head (supporting it).
He says if we donât take this economic opportunity, someone else will.
So with âreluctanceâ he says he will support.
Itâs 2-2 by my count.
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He says if we donât take this economic opportunity, someone else will.
So with âreluctanceâ he says he will support.
Itâs 2-2 by my count.
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. @CllrWalshaw says the first order concern for this application is the climate emergency. Everything else pales in comparison.
âWe have a solemn duty to think about the future of the people of Leeds, and Iâll be voting against this application to expand the airport.â
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âWe have a solemn duty to think about the future of the people of Leeds, and Iâll be voting against this application to expand the airport.â
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Cllr Carlill says he canât support the application to expand.
Thatâs now 4-3 in favour of objecting (based on councillors who have made comments so far and stated how they plan to vote)
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Thatâs now 4-3 in favour of objecting (based on councillors who have made comments so far and stated how they plan to vote)
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Cllr Wadsworth makes comments in favour and against, and doesnât say how heâll vote (unless I missed it).
Cllr Garthwaite says she is voting against.
So itâs 5-3 against expanding, with 1 undeclared.
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Cllr Garthwaite says she is voting against.
So itâs 5-3 against expanding, with 1 undeclared.
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Cllr Caroline Gruen also on the fence, saying she agrees with others (who supported) that more requirements are needed if approval is to be given.
Cllr Nash supports.
5-4 for voting intentions against expanding the airport. 2 on the fence.
14 Coucillors on the panel.
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Cllr Nash supports.
5-4 for voting intentions against expanding the airport. 2 on the fence.
14 Coucillors on the panel.
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Cllr Dan Cohen fully supports the application to expand the airport.
He also questions the fact @CllrWalshaw is on this panel, given he chairs @LeedsCC_CEAQ
Iâd say climate expertise is quite handy for this decision actually...
5-5. And 2 on the fence. 2 left to speak.
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He also questions the fact @CllrWalshaw is on this panel, given he chairs @LeedsCC_CEAQ
Iâd say climate expertise is quite handy for this decision actually...
5-5. And 2 on the fence. 2 left to speak.
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Cllr Cohen adds that as with others whoâve said they support the application, he does not support it without extra conditions added to it.
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Cllr Khan also supports the application, again saying conditions need adding.
That's 6-5 in favour of supporting airport expansion.
2 on the fence. 1 still to comment (I think).
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That's 6-5 in favour of supporting airport expansion.
2 on the fence. 1 still to comment (I think).
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. @CllrWalshaw is back talking, urging people to take leadership here in the absence of strong national policies on this issue.
Cllr McKenna, the chair, is now speaking and is the last to comment. He's summarising the last 8 hours!
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Cllr McKenna, the chair, is now speaking and is the last to comment. He's summarising the last 8 hours!
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Cllr McKenna says he is inclined to agree with the support camp.
So that's 7-5 in support of expansion, with 2 on the fence.
Officer Daljit Singh now summarising...
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So that's 7-5 in support of expansion, with 2 on the fence.
Officer Daljit Singh now summarising...
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Daljit Singh says many members are against, and many are in support.
But those in support all want extra conditions adding. So a motion is being put forward to 'tighten up the conditions' after supporting the application.
Now moving to the vote...
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But those in support all want extra conditions adding. So a motion is being put forward to 'tighten up the conditions' after supporting the application.
Now moving to the vote...
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Proper votes coming in now:
Blackburn AGAINST
Campbell AGAINST
Carlill AGAINST
Cohen FOR
Finnigan FOR
Garthwaite AGAINST
4-2 against
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Blackburn AGAINST
Campbell AGAINST
Carlill AGAINST
Cohen FOR
Finnigan FOR
Garthwaite AGAINST
4-2 against
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C Gruen FOR
P Gruen FOR
Khan FOR
Latty FOR
Nash FOR
Wadsworth FOR
Walshaw AGAINST
McKenna FOR
9-5 in favour of expanding Leeds-Bradford Airport (subject to conditions to be added)
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P Gruen FOR
Khan FOR
Latty FOR
Nash FOR
Wadsworth FOR
Walshaw AGAINST
McKenna FOR
9-5 in favour of expanding Leeds-Bradford Airport (subject to conditions to be added)
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Chair, Cllr McKenna, says his grandson aged 7 has watched since the start (1.30pm)... I suspect he won't be cheering this result.
He's probably feeling sick like me.
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He's probably feeling sick like me.
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500+ watching live on YouTube just a few minutes ago.
Meeting closed.
The fight goes on.
Ends/
Meeting closed.
The fight goes on.
Ends/
