It was true, or the plans were there to bring in cargo bound for Amsterdam and ship it through tees port. Also a four lane 747 hangar was planned, think developer was Moorfield Semely or something.
The local councillor the infamous Doris Jones kicked up a stink and produced figures of more 747 freighters visiting than existed but somehow she pushed for a judicial review and got it. The developer didn't last the two to three years so eventually it failed. Doris being a Conservative councillor now doesn't bat an eyelid at the airport and its developments.
Rumour has it stand one is to be used so no need to strengthen the taxiways, they were fit for a full 146 though and work has been done on the alpha taxiway and stand 13. With them just tarting up hangar 3 and dropping in container offices after they evicted the GA it must be a cheap budget.