Costs were only thing soaring

But the only thing that was soaring was the cost of the consultants.

Tannaghmore had been earmarked for the project which immediately brought a protest from the residents.

The Mayor, two councillors and a council officer met with consultants who recommended a hard tarmac runway instead of a grass strip as originally planned.

One councillor said afterwards: “The consultants examined the demand for an airstrip in Craigavon and we have ruled out the possibility of any scheduled flights.

“However there is undoubtedly a demand for a recreational facility allied to pilot training and repair work to aircraft for which there is a crying need in Northern Ireland.”

This was from the consultants draft report with the full report going before the next full council meeting.

The bill from the consultants amounted to £22,500.