Expansion plan unveiled for Leeds Bradford Airport

Better transport links to the airport are being looked at as part of the plans

Expansion plans have been unveiled for Leeds Bradford Airport to enable it to bring in double the amount of passengers over the next 15 years.

The proposals would see Leeds Council releasing 36.2 hectares of greenbelt land in and near to the airport.

It would be used to increase the passenger terminal building and develop an airport village, including a hotel, restaurant and shops.

The plans would also result in new flight destinations being introduced.

Bring new jobs

The airport, in Yeadon, is currently used by 3.3m passengers a year but forecasts show a potential to increase that to 7.1m by 2030.

The council said the airport needed to expand in order to accommodate the predicted rise.

Also included in the expansion plan is an air innovation park to attract research and development companies and an air freight park for improved cargo handling.

The authority said releasing the council-owned land would help businesses grow and bring in new jobs and skills.

Better transport connections including a new link road are also being looked at.

The proposals will be discussed at a meeting of the council's executive board on 15 July.

If approved, they will go out to public consultation later in the year.