By Linzi Watson

Last updated 19:29, Monday, 07 April 2008

A CRUNCH meeting to discuss the future of haulage giant Eddie Stobart in Cumbria was due to be held today.

• Video: Watch the Civic Centre campaigners

Pro-airport campaigners outside the Civic Centre this morning

Council leader Mike Mitchelson confirmed this morning he would meet Stobart boss Andrew Tinkler late this afternoon in a bid to “explore the way forward”.

On Friday, Mr Tinkler stormed out of talks with the council and said he would move the entire Stobart operation to Widnes after becoming locked in a disagreement over the 63 conditions the council want to impose on his airport development.

He later agreed to meet officials for fresh talks.

He told Mr Mitchelson the airport scheme could still go ahead if the council altered its conditions, which he says are too restrictive.

Mr Tinkler said today: “I’ve been going through the council’s conditions with a lawyer who is an expert in aviation. He has said what’s fair and what’s reasonable.

“They are still the council’s conditions but refined to make them workable.”

Mr Tinkler says the council must drop its insistence that the new runway is complete before he is allowed to build offices for Eddie Stobart and WA Developments.

He said: “Just because I have planning permission doesn’t mean I can start the runway. I have to get clearance from the Civil Aviation Authority.

“It could be six or eight months or even a year.”

Mr Tinkler also wants the council to drop a clause that requires him to get its permission before any other business uses the office space.

And he says that one of the other conditions would, unintentionally, prevent aircraft taking off at night.

He added: “The airport can go ahead if the council want to be reasonable. I’ve always wanted to be reasonable.”

Mr Mitchelson confirmed the talks were scheduled for late this afternoon.

“This is something that I initiated on Friday,” he said. “We need to get round the table and explore the way forward. Eddie Stobart is a major employer and we need to make every effort to keep the business in Carlisle.”

Mr Mitchelson said he did not know what would come as a result of the meeting, which is due to take place at 3.30 pm at the Civic Centre.

Carlisle MP Eric Martlew agrees with Mr Tinkler that the planning conditions need to change. He said today: “I’ve looked at these conditions and I think they are far too restrictive.

“The council should be more welcoming.

“I’m really frightened we will lose all these jobs.”

A rally was held outside the Civic Centre this morning in support of Mr Tinkler’s airport plans.

Around 240 readers have contacted the News & Star website since the story broke on Friday.

A campaign group by the name of Honk Your Horn For Stobart Air has been formed and has steadily gained support over the weekend. Around 15 people were outside the Civic Centre at 9am, many taking time off work.

David Parker, of Carlisle Flight Training, based at Carlisle airport, said: “This is a really big issue which affects our livelihood.”

Alan Rayson, also a flight instructor at Carlisle Flight Training, said: “This affects our families and hundreds of Cumbrian jobs. If Stobarts want to pull out it would have a dramatic effect on the county. If 500 jobs were to go in Carlisle and north Cumbria it would also have a knock-on effect on the support industry who would also suffer. “I can’t believe it has taken the council months to get to this stage.”

A spokesperson for the group said: “This issue means a great deal to around 90 per cent of Cumbria. “New jobs, easier travel and our new generation will be affected by the decision.“

“With the determination of others we shall help Mr Tinkler tackle this as he has our best interest as well as his own.

“I believe people of Cumbria just want to see something benefit from this and don't want to lose the opportunity.”