Durham Tees Valley Airport opposed the hotel application

Durham Tees Valley Airport objected to an application for an 80-bed hotel near its Darlington base, claiming it would threaten its own investment plans.

Darlington Council said there was no reason why Northcare Developments should not be granted permission.

But the airport claims the move could threaten the viability of its own plans for a 100-bed hotel on the site.

Peel Holdings, which owns and operates the airport, claims there is not enough business to justify their hotel, Northcare's and a further hotel which is also planned.

'Airport community'

Darlington Council has defended its decision, saying it was concerned purely with planning issues and not commercial matters.

But airport managing director Hugh Laing, said: "We are annoyed and very disappointed.

"We have already spent �30.5m and are about to embark on a further �56m and we need to develop an airport community in which to develop a profitable business.

"But if, bit by bit, these things are chipped away and we lose hotels and other things, then that undermines the long-term development of the airport and our investment.

"The planning view seems to be that the market must decide and everyone can dive in and build hotels, but the experience of other airports would suggest that the need is not there."

Ken Stewart, of Northcare Developments, said he believed three hotels could survive in the area.

He said it would provide jobs, improve the landscape and bring more business into the area.