By Matthew Legg Business editor

Last updated 09:20, Saturday, 05 July 2008

PLANS to transform Carlisle Airport into a passenger and freight hub could be back on, it has emerged

Stobart Group, the firm behind the £35m scheme, says it will extend its option to buy the site by a further six months.

The move brings a flicker of life back to a development that appeared to have been killed by a Government decision to hold a public inquiry.

Stobart intends to build a new runway, terminal, hangars, warehousing and offices at the Irthington site and move its entire Cumbrian haulage operation there.

Carlisle City Council okayed the plan, but the Government withdrew the permission saying a local authority cannot rule on a scheme so important to the region.

The subsequent public inquiry, and the 12-month delay it would incur, meant Stobart’s February 2009 deadline for work to start would be missed.

It was feared the firm would be forced to switch to Plan B – a move to Widnes – instead. But the Stobart board yesterday voted unanimously to extend its option on the site. It will pay Carlisle City Council, the airport’s owner, £50,000 to do so.

Stobart supremo Andrew Tinkler has played down the move, though, warning that it does not mean the company will definitely press head with the airport.

He told the News & Star: “The deadline has been extended to investigate the reasons behind why a public inquiry was called and if there is anything we can do to change those reasons and save the project.

“The six months will give Stobart Group a chance to hold back and come up with possible solutions. We are saying, ‘This is the last chance’.”

It is unlikely Stobart would fight a public inquiry, with bosses preferring to withdraw the plan and submit a revised version. A final decision on that is expected in the next few days.

Mr Tinkler revealed he had approached the Government to discuss why a public inquiry was called, but was told talks were not possible because it would prejudice the process.

He added: “I can’t see it going to a public inquiry because that does not fit in with the timetable we have planned for the site.

“The Government said the plan was too important to be decided locally, but I don’t think putting 50 trucks and a building to store cans on an airfield is too important for the area to decide.

“This isn’t about a few planes flying into an airfield – it’s about keeping hundreds of jobs in Carlisle.”

Rodney Baker-Bates, chairman of Stobart Group, said: “The board has agreed that it is sensible to extend the option for six months on Carlisle Airport.

“The airport enables Stobart to consolidate its operations and create and save jobs for several hundred people in Carlisle.

“We very much hope for a speedy conclusion to this matter. This will minimise the uncertainty of many of our employees who may be subject to relocation pending the decision on the airport.”

In March, Stobart revealed it would offer up to £15m (£2.5m in cash and £12.5m in shares) for the 460-acre site.

In a statement, the company added: “The board believes that the acquisition offers the group the potential to develop passenger aviation activities and provide customers with opportunities for air freight facilities in the future.”