PLANS for a £56m expansion of Durham Tees Valley Airport have gained the backing of a second council.

Darlington Borough Council's planning committee unanimously approved proposals to expand the airport's runway and extend and revamp its terminal building.

A second application - for a business park near the airport's new access road - was also backed by the committee with a five to three majority, and referred to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government for final approval.

But after the meeting, Middleton St George Parish Council said it will ask the Secretary of State for a public inquiry into the business park decision.

Council chairwoman Doris Jones said the decision was contrary to the council's Local Plan, as it extends outside the airport development boundary and onto a previously undeveloped site when former industrial sites are available nearby.

She said: "I don't think it is fair to use an open green field site when we have so many brown field sites available."

As the scheme departs from its planning policy, Darlington Borough Council decided to refer the business park application to the Secretary of State but give its backing.

The expansion will allow the airport to cater for up to three million passengers a year and create about 2,500 jobs.

Hugh Lang, managing director of the airport, said the airport's expansion was important for the region's economy.

"This region does require a modern, vibrant airport," he said.

The application features an extended and refurbished terminal building, with improved baggage handling and check-in facilities, lounges, office space, as well as retail and restaurant facilities.

Additions to the 213-hectare site include a cargo and maintenance village, nine aircraft parking stands and 4,500 car parking spaces.

Conditions relating to noise, night flying, construction management, air quality and transport links were imposed after concerns by residents.

The business park plans are for an 18,600sq m development with a 100-bed hotel, pub and restaurant.

A representative of the airport said the business park was crucial to the airport's future.

He said: "It is important to the airport expansion that it is able to cater for the needs of aviation-related business at the airport."

He added that the developers' chosen site was the best place for the business park.

But Dr John England, for Middleton St George Parish Council said plans for the three-storey business park, 50 metres from a residential development, would infringe on privacy.

He said: "The council must decide now if it wants to support or fight a development which is contrary to its own planning policy."