Alderney Airport expansion plans to be voted on

Plans to upgrade Alderney's Airport are up for approval

Plans to modernise Alderney's Airport are set to be voted on by the Building & Development Control Committee on Thursday.

The project would see the extension of the runway to accommodate larger planes, together with the creation of a new passenger terminal.

A report by planning officers, who have backed the proposals subject to some conditions, said the plans would bring a "substantial benefit" to Alderney and are in the "long term public interest".

It comes more than a year since £24m in funding for the project was secured by Guernsey States Policy and Resources Committee (P&R).

'Growth of island'

Those in favour of the expansion have expressed concern at delays and said the project is vital to the island's economy.

Director of the Blonde Hedgehog Hotel, Tracey Farquhar-Beck said: "The extension was agreed in Guernsey last year but still nothing is happening. The majority of us feel the can is continually kicked along the road.

"The key to not only the growth of the island, but the simple sustainability, is having a robust and reliable transport structure in place.

"If you have someone on the phone looking to book you want to capture that booking, not say 'well can you actually get here first'."

'Makes financial sense'

States-owned airline Aurigny continue to support the plans and have said the extension would mean it can streamline its fleet and reduce costs to taxpayers.

Alderney's leaders also believe it makes financial sense and have expressed fears over a potential U-turn.

Speaking earlier this month, Alderney Representative Alex Snowdon said: "We need to get some certainty for our community and for the economy so we can start growing and succeeding, and hopefully paying more money back into Guernsey Ports."

Alderney Chamber of Commerce President Andrew Eggleston also expressed concern saying "lack of momentum" on the project was hampering industry on the island.

P&R President Lyndon Trott is among those opposed to the project, having objected to the investment since it was approved, other deputies have also called for the work to be halted.

The Guernsey Aviation Action Group is also opposed to the runway extension, while businessman Peter Bachmann is concerned the project will be a loss-making exercise.