Airport expansion plans backed by committee

The proposals also include a new terminal building and fire station

Alderney's planning committee has unanimously backed proposals to extend the island's runway and modernise the airport.

All three members of Alderney's Building and Development Control Committee (BDCC) voted in favour of the proposals at an open meeting.

Kevin Gentle, the committee's chairman, said the application "satisfied all the criteria" and would help "future-proof" Alderney.

"Without reconstruction of this runway, the island will fail," he said after the meeting.

The three-person panel voted unanimously in favour of the proposals

The committee heard from the planning officer who presented the findings of a planning report published earlier this month, which recommended the proposals proceed.

Deputy Mark Helyar, who attended the meeting, said: "I think it's absolutely the right decision for Alderney.

"I think it's the right decision for the Bailiwick.

"It secures transport links and Alderney's economy. It also safeguards all of the medevac [medical emergency evacuation] procedures that are necessary with a very elderly population on the island."

Cost concerns

In 2022 Guernsey's States secured £24m of funding for the project.

More than a year on some deputies have raised concerns costs could run higher and the plans could yet be subject to a review in the States.

Alderney States member Alex Snowdon said he understood Guernsey's States was likely to review the costs of the proposals and recognised there was "concern about spending public money".

"Whatever happens with Alderney runway, it is going to cost money," he said.

"We were told that the runway extension was future-proofing the island, creating options and actually the best option over the medium and long term.

"I don't think that has changed."

As well as improvements to the runway, the plans also include building a new passenger terminal and fire station.

Guernsey Ports, which operates the airport, is also seeking permission to reconstruct the runway and add new approach lighting and drainage to make it suitable for Aurigny's fleet of ATR planes.

The airline currently uses smaller Dornier planes.