There has been renewed calls for a public inquiry into a proposed runway expansion at George Best Belfast City Airport following claims a low-flying aircraft caused tiles to be sucked off the roof of a home in a nearby residential area at the weekend.

On Sunday afternoon, September 13, local residents reported that turbulence from a passing aircraft pulled around 30 tiles from a house at Parkgate Crescent, close to the Sydenham bypass.

Katrin Irvine (39), the homeowner affected who lives directly beneath a flight path, reported hearing a “big bang” at around 1pm.

The incident has lead to those opposed to the runway plans to again call for an urgent public inquiry.

Speaking to The CT after the incident, Pottinger Councillor John Kyle said it would be “absolutely irresponsible” for a public inquiry not to go ahead.

He said: “There are two main reasons why a public inquiry is essential.

“Firstly, the residents in the area are very concerned at the safety, health and environmental issues that could arise from any development at the airport.

“Secondly, Belfast City Council has said it is an issue the Planning Department cannot ignore.”

Mr Kyle also said that while the residents living in east Belfast have been calling for a public inquiry for some time, it takes an incident like this for residents in other parts of Belfast to become aware of the dangers.

“I think the incident over the weekend has cre

ated a lot of new interest in the plight of those living beneath a flight path,” he added.

However, following a probe by the city airport, a spokesperson said that the aircraft approaching at the time of Sunday’s incident did so “in accordance with strict Civil Aviation Authority regulations”.

They added: “The airport takes claims of this nature extremely seriously. As part of our investigation airport representatives visited the scene and have spoken with the householder, in addition to investigating other operational aspects.

“Nothing was untoward in the angle of approach nor height of the aircraft. This evidence is corroborated by a secondary radar, which the airport installed at considerable expense and in response to campaigners’ calls.

“The airport will continue to work closely with residents and local representatives to ensure this matter is resolved to satisfaction of all parties.”

Belfast City Airport Watch (BCAW) — an umbrella group of local residents opposed to the runway expansion — has also reaffirmed its call for a public inquiry.

Fiona McKinley, spokesperson for the group, said: “Safety is now clearly the issue. Namely, the safety of people who had a lucky escape on Sunday. There are questions to be answered.

She added: “It is madness and indeed reckless to contemplate any further expansion at this designated ‘city’ airport.”

The Lord Mayor, Councillor Naomi Long, has

called for the Civil Aviation Authority to conduct an investigation.

She said: “If, after an independent investigation, it is found that a flight caused this damage then very serious questions must be answered on this matter and the wider issues surrounding the airport need to be considered in great detail.”

This view was also expressed by Pottinger Councillor Sir Reg Empey. He said: “I will be pressing the Airport Authorities for an urgent enquiry, the contents of which should be made public.”

And local representative Niall Ó Donnghaile added: “This incident, once again, highlights the validity of the concerns being raised about proposals to expand the airport. These concerns have been highlighted by local residents over a long period of time.

“While I recognise the importance of having a functioning city airport and commend them for the service they provide, the reality is that this service cannot be at the expense of public health and safety.”

Plans for a runway extension at the airport are currently with the Planning Department for assessment.

During an interview with The CT earlier this year, Katy Best, business development director at the airport, said of the proposed plans: “The planes are not going to get bigger, flight times will not change and there will be no more noise than there currently is. The extension will simply allow the same planes to fly further and at full capacity”.