Planning officers had recommended that the plan be approved, citing issues of congestion on local roads, reduction of drop-off and pick-up journeys, limited public transport and reduced capacity at third-party car parks. 

 However, the committee decided to defer their decision on the application, with councillor Paul Findlow stating that he was 'not satisfied that it was the only alternative'.

 CPRE policy recognises that transport is the largest source of GhG (Greenhouse Gas) emissions in the UK, at 126 MtCO2e, accounting for 28% of UK greenhouse gas emissions in 2017 , and the only sector in which emissions have increased since 1990. The Committee on Climate Change stated “This sector is now significantly off-track from the cost-effective path of the committee’s fifth carbon budget assessment”. 

Cheshire East Council declared a climate emergency in May, vowing to give more weight to environmental concerns. Councillor Andrew Gregory, who is the Conservative member for Sutton, commented 'it is a disappointment that given this council's commitment to [tacklling] climate change that we are in a position where we are looking like considering granting an application that will result in loss of green belt and more use of cars'.

 As well as reducing the number of journeys made by air, CPRE wants to see a greater emphasis on improving public transport, rather than increasing car parking capacity at the airport.