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The
decision in favour of creating an 80 million pound commercial airport
on the former RAF site follows the biggest ever public inquiry held
in the town.
Martin
Winter, Elected Mayor in Doncaster told the BBC that it will really
put the area on the map.
He
said, "I think it will be the catalyst which will bring even
more economic regeneration and more jobs to Doncaster.
"The
challenge for us now is to make sure those jobs go to Doncaster
people."
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| Caroline
Flint: "Absolutely delighted" |
Caroline
Flint, MP for Don Valley, the constituency in which Finningley sits,
said the decision was fantastic news.
She
told BBC Radio Sheffield, "I'm absolutely delighted.
"It's
been a long campaign, and we've finally got there.
"Everybody
who's been involved in supporting Finningley as an airport for Doncaster
and South Yorkshire should be very pleased with themselves.
"It's
a dream come true."
When
the Finningley plans first emerged, there was speculation that the
aim was to create a rival to Manchester which could have had a detrimental
effect on neighbouring airports.
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| Leeds
Bradford airport |
Leeds
Bradford airport was consulted as part of the inquiry process. The
managing director there Ed Anderson told BBC Radio Sheffield he
believed that the two airports can co-exist quite easily.
He
said, "What Peel are saying now, and what they said at the
inquiry, was that they feel the potential is for Finningley to have
around two million passengers by around 2015 to serve the South
Yorkshire area.
"I
wouldn't disagree with that."
The
company behind the scheme - Peel Holdings - has said that the airport
will create 7 thousand jobs.
Strategic
planning director for Peel Airports, Peter Nears told the BBC that
they are delighted.
He
said, "I think everyone sees airports growing in the future.
"I
think it was important that South Yorkshire had an airport which
could cater for European and international traffic in the future.
"Clearly
there's a fantastic resource here waiting to be used, and we're
very pleased to have got the decision today that we can go ahead."
But
there were hundreds of objections lodged against the proposal by
residents and campaign groups concerned about pollution and noise.
Anthony
Ray from Friends of the Earth says he's convinced the airport's
bad news
He
said, "Obviously we are disappointed by the decision, but I
can't say it was unexpected.
"But
I think the crucial thing we've noted is that the Government - like
Friends of the Earth - do accept that there is no pressing need
for the airport in terms of airport capacity.
"That's
what we said at the inquiry, and the Government have endorsed that."
Now
it's your turn!
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