Councillors have clashed over Birmingham Airport's night-time flight expansion, with concerns raised about its impact on climate targets. The airport says rejecting the plan could cost the region millions. The debate continues over whether the decision aligns with climate commitments.
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00:00Birmingham Airport has been granted permission to increase night-time flights despite concerns
00:07over its environmental impact. The decision follows an application from the airport warning
00:12that rejecting the proposal could cost the West Midlands millions of pounds.
00:19Solihull Council's planning committee approved an increase in night flights from 5% to 7.3%
00:24across the year.
00:27Some councillors have challenged the move, questioning how it aligns with the authority's
00:31climate emergency commitments.
00:34A Green Party councillor raised concerns about the local impact of increased flights, citing
00:39recent flooding. The cabinet member for climate change defended the council's approach, stating
00:44that planning decisions follow due process and that economic growth is key to tackling
00:49emissions.
00:51The decision means more flights will operate overnight, with debate continuing over the
00:55long-term environmental impact.