COUNCILLORS are expected to approve major expansion plans for Durham Tees Valley airport within a matter of days.

The £56m plans, which were submitted a year ago, will see the terminal building extended and refurbished, bringing its capacity up to three million passengers a year.

There will also be improved baggage handling and check-in facilities, lounges, office space and retail and restaurant facilities, along with the creation of a cargo and maintenance village, nine aircraft parking stands and 4,500 car parking spaces.

A report by Darlington and Stockton borough councils - which are considering the plans because they fall within both authority areas - proposes this element of the planning application be approved.

The report says that officers are satisfied with "mitigation measures" to tackle noise and other problems.

It concludes: "In granting planning permission, both councils are mindful of the fact that the application proposes a significant investment in the airport which is likely to result in major economic benefits to the airport, the economies of Darlington, Stockton, the Tees Valley area and the region generally."

Meanwhile, no objections have been raised by Stockton planners on a second application for a 18,600sq metre business park to include a 100-bed hotel, pub and restaurant, which will be considered by Darlington council.

Stockton council's planning committee will discuss the plans tomorrow, before their counterparts in Darlington meet on December 12.

Last night, Hugh Lang, managing director of the airport, said the plans would create up to 2,700 jobs and add £120m to the local economy.

He said: "As the report to the planning committee meeting makes clear, these applications have been the subject of very detailed consultation and discussion, and the conditions drawn up are designed to deal with a range of issues raised during that process."

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