Runway repairs carried out without consent
REPAIRS to the new runway extension at Sumburgh airport are being carried out without any form of planning consent, it has emerged.
Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd are spending millions trying to fix the eastern end of the runway, which was extended in 2006 but has been continually damaged by heavy sea action ever since.
Work started last month importing rock armouring from Norway and building a compound to make special concrete blocks to repair the damage.
However last week Shetland Islands Council’s executive committee heard in private that this work was being carried out without planning permission or a works licence.
The two sides are now working together to resolve the issue, with HIAL appointing a planning consultant to arrange a retrospective planning application.
There is no love lost between the SIC and HIAL over the runway extension, which was designed and managed by the local authority.
By last year HIAL had already spent £400,000 repairing damage caused by waves sucking infill from behind rock armouring leaving gaping holes in the tarmac.
In January 2012 HIAL lost a £2.5 million claim in the Court of Session against the council for the cost of the damage, and is currently appealing against that ruling.
Planning development manager John Holden said there were several environmental designations in the area, including a Special Protected Area and a Site of Special Scientific Interest at the Pool of Virkie.
He said they were trying to resolve the issues as quickly as possible. “It’s fair to say that we are happy with the progress that we are making,” he said.
One senior SIC councillor said there was no desire to be obstructive as the airport runway was so important to the islands, but added: “HIAL are no different from anyone else, they need to get consents. They are not above the law.”
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A HIAL spokesman explained: “There have been some complications in the planning approvals process, not least because of the complex nature and scope of the runway repair works required.
“It was not possible to apply for full consent until we could establish the full extent of the investment required.
“However the extreme weather conditions of last winter were a further complication and resulted in changes to the scope of the final design, and hastened the need for these essential repairs to be carried out to maintain the normal running of the airport.
“We are working with Shetland Islands Council to progress these vitals repairs to the runway, which is an essential infrastructure asset for the Shetland Isles.”
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