DARLINGTON Borough Council won by one vote to approve the building of 350 houses, shops, and a gym on the Durham Tees Valley airport car park.

As they do not mention providing an alternative site for a car park does this mean the closure of the airport is imminent?

Surely, Middlesbrough, Stockton, Hartlepool and Redcar and Cleveland councils have been approached for their views (as they still own part of the airport) as to whether they approve the building plans?

The principal owner, John Whittaker, chairman of Peel Holdings, has managed to lower the number of passengers from 960,000 in 2006 to a few thousand today.

Being a non-resident of England, he has no interest in Durham Tees Valley airport as it stands. Even the Air Ambulance has left.

It is no wonder Newcastle Airport is increasing its passenger figures year by year due to this owner lacking any interest in providing any facilities for the huge population in and around the Tees Valley.

As stated, I would like to learn the views of Middlesbrough, Stockton, Hartlepool and Redcar and Cleveland councils on the negative attitude of Peel Holdings which has said it cannot see beyond five years for the life of the airport.

In the current economic climate the North-East needs, and deserves, better transport links to enhance our future potential, not destroying what we already have.

Eric Clarke, Darlington