BIGGIN Hill Airport has won its appeal for a new business aviation hangar. Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott and Secretary of State for Transport, Alistair Darling backed the airport's bid to build the hangar alongside the existing passenger terminal.

The decision was a slap in the face for the London Borough of Bromley, which refused permission in 2001.

The Government said that the proposal was not unreasonable or excessive in size, the scale was reasonable, there was no other suitable site, it would contribute to the airport's financial security, and was consistent with council policies. It said special circumstances outweighed harm to the Green Belt.

Airport chairman Andrew Walters said: "This is a very significant decision for the airport and I am pleased that the Secretaries of State were able to strike the balance between the economic and environmental aspects of this proposal.

"These are tough times for the aviation industry and standing still is not an option for any of us. The airport looks forward to building this hangar which will create still more jobs for local people and provide a little more certainty to the entire airport community."