A MASSIVE redevelopment which will transform the region's second biggest airport is under way.

The decision by Peel Airports to begin the £20m redevelopment of Teesside follows the decision by local authorities to sell their controlling interest in the hope of attracting more investment.

The five North-East local authorities sold 75 per cent of their shares to Manchester-based Peel for £500,000.

In return for taking control of the airport, Peel agreed to a sweeping investment programme.

The five councils - Redcar and Cleveland, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Stockton and Darlington - claimed the deal was the only way forward, arguing that they did not have the cash needed for redevelopment.

Last night, it was confirmed that Peel has taken the first step towards making the investment by applying for planning permission to create a new access into the airport.

If the plans are passed by Darlington Borough Council, direct access will be from the A67 into the airport, instead of the existing road which winds around the airport's car park.

The plans would retain the existing roundabout on the A67, but remove the subsequent roundabout just outside the airport.

A new roundabout will then be built further inside the site with a direct route straight to the front of the terminal buildings.

A Darlington council spokesman said: "The route at the moment takes you round the houses a little bit. This will be a lot more direct.

"The new access, if it is passed, will not be an imposing entrance, but it will be more appropriate for the increase in traffic expected as more people use the airport in the next few years."

The plans submitted to Darlington council include the new access road, a cycle way and footpath, as well as a reconfiguration of internal access roads, car park and associated works.

Peel Airports was responsible for the transformation of Liverpool's John Lennon Airport and it is hoped its investment on Teesside will lead to a doubling of passenger numbers.

As part of its £20m investment, the firm has promised to refurbish the main terminal building, construct a new parallel taxiway for aircraft serving a cargo depot, as well as a new £4m runway.

Since Peel Airports came on board, Teesside has announced a lucrative tie-up with budget airline Bmibaby, and is also working with regional development agency One NorthEast to create a new business park on a nearby site, which will have its own access road to the airport.