Opponents of Biggin Hill Airport expansion plans have branded a Government decision to allow a hangar to be built in the green belt as a "travesty of justice".

The Government overruled Bromley Council and its own planning inspector to grant planning permission for an aircraft hangar between the control tower and the RAF Biggin Hill conservation area.

Residents are concerned it will destroy green belt grassland, increase environmental pollution and have a visual impact on the RAF barracks.

Hugh Bunce, spokesman for Flightpath, the alliance of groups opposed to further airport development, said the council must challenge the decision in the courts.

He said: "This makes a mockery of the inspector's public inquiry and raises major doubts over the Government's claim of support for green belt land."

The hangar would have a floorspace of 70,000 sq ft and would be more than 40ft high to accommodate Boeing Business Jets and other aircraft.

Planning permission to build a 50-bedroom hotel on the site north of the terminal has already been granted.

The Government's planning inspector backed the council's decision to refuse permission for the hangar at last summer's public inquiry but was overruled by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott and Transport Secretary Alistair Darling.

But Peter Osborne, of Bromley Residents' Federation, said: "The hangar will be so huge you'll be able to get a full-size football pitch inside."

The Government's planning inspector had stated the appeal site was not proved to be the only possible location for the hangar.

Councillor Tony Wilkinson, chairman of the development control committee, said: "We are bitterly disappointed the Government ignored residents' wishes and allowed a significant encroachment onto our precious green belt."

Airport chairman Andrew Walters said: "The airport looks forward to building this hangar, which will create still more jobs for local people and provide a little more certainty to the entire airport community."

January 28, 2003 12:00