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The owners of a rival to Belfast City Airport's car park have hit out at a planning decision which means they will have to close the firm within weeks making staff redundant.

Boal Airport Parking, based on the Ikea site, provides parking for people flying out of George Best Belfast City Airport.

But planning authorities denied it permission to run the business from the East Belfast premises.

A subsequent appeal has also been rejected. The firm today hit out at the move saying the situation had created "an unfair monopoly" on car parking at the airport.

The car park is now said to be facing closure within weeks, with eight staff to be made redundant.

Lawrence Boal, whose family set up the venture more than four years ago, told Belfast Live: "They rejected the appeal on the grounds there was no need for additional car parking at Belfast City Airport even though this would obviously make them a monopoly and the only car park I think in the British Isles which doesn't have a competitor."

Boal's offers 360 parking spaces at the Ikea site. Mr Boal saying most spots were booked throughout the summer.

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He added: "It's been a long and hard process for us. We have spent a lot of money... upwards of £40,000, £50,000 fighting this.

"Unfortunately it was rejected again. We are more worried about our employees really.

"We hired young people and people in their 50s and above who will probably struggle to find work again now.

"We have eight employees and they will, unfortunately, obviously have to lose their jobs.

"If the car park closes they will lose their jobs.

"As far as we're concerned the council has told us we have to close down within 28 days I think it is.

"The only other option we have is to close down and reapply again... but that takes anything from three months to two years so it's probably not viable."

According to the firm's website, a three-day stay costs customers £18. That compares to £41 to £53 at the airport.

A DOE spokesman said: “The independent Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) has comprehensively reviewed the Department’s determination and has dismissed the appeal. The appellant did not demonstrate need to the satisfaction of the PAC in this case.

“There may be a desire for car parking at reduced cost to customers but it does not follow that this desire equates to car parking need.

“Whilst the Minister recognises that people want reduced car parking costs, the car parking pricing structure in place at the GBBCA is a matter for the operators.

“Following recent reforms to the planning system councils now have the positive task of considering overall car parking needs in their respective areas, bringing forward local policies to ensure adequate provision of car parking, and determining proposals for public and private car parks in close consultation with their communities.”

A spokesperson for Belfast City Airport said: “Illegal car parks are a problem not isolated to Belfast City Airport.

“While we welcome competition it must adhere to the same planning restrictions as imposed upon the airport.

“The airport has invested millions of pounds in its infrastructure to operate a facility that protects our customers within a safe and legal environment.

“The airport is a rate paying business that operates wholly within the law, why should others be able to flout the law for commercial gain?

“Given our city centre location, the airport is well served by regular public transport links and we offer a range of car parking options when booked online.

“Belfast City Airport will continue to invest in its infrastructure to provide the people of Northern Ireland with a facility they can be proud of.”

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