Planning applications at Southend Airport, including terminal extension and new carpark
There are currently three airport-related planning applications being considered relating to Southend Airport. A proposed extension to the brand new terminal is Phase 2, and would see the terminal building becoming 90 metres longer. The number of check in desks / baggage drop off points will increase, as will the amount of security screening channels. The Departure Lounge and the Arrivals area will be enlarged. Also an enhanced baggage reclaim facilities, a larger immigration area, and more retail and catering. There is also a speculative application by a local builder, to make money out of his land as a car park. And it has been noticed that Stansted staff are needing homes to rent, while being relocated to Southend. So much for more local jobs.
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“Terminal Extension Will Create 300 New Jobs” – says airport
(Southend Airport website – February 2012)
Terminal extension will create local employment boost
A proposed extension to the brand new terminal at London Southend Airport would result in more than 300 hundred additional new jobs being created.
The airport’s planning proposal has just been submitted to Rochford Council, whose members will make a decision over whether to grant permission in the next few months.
Phase Oneof the new terminal is now complete and becomes operational on 28 February 2012. The new light and airy, fly-through terminal building is less than 100 paces from the new railway station and is all about simplicity, speed and service. Passengers flying out from the airport will wait for a maximum of four-minutes for security, whilst those arriving with just hand luggage can expect to travel from plane to train within 15 minutes of leaving the aircraft.
This proposed Phase Two of the new terminal is to ensure these promised high standards of service are not compromised as passenger numbers grow towards 2million per year in the future.
The planned extension would see the terminal building becoming 90 metres longer. The number of check in desks / baggage drop off points will increase, as will the amount of security screening channels. The Departure Lounge will grow in size to enhance the experience for passengers relaxing and awaiting boarding after security. A larger Arrivals area will have enhanced baggage reclaim facilities and a larger immigration area. Retail and catering facilities will be expanded throughout the terminal in order to provide a much wider range of shops and services available to passengers.
The 300 new jobs arising from the increase in Southend based aircraftwill result in a variety of additional operational and service roles such as passenger service, security, retail, catering, baggage handling, engineering and maintenance, plus airline crew from London Southend based airline operations.
London Southend Airport Managing Director Alastair Welch says “This extension will ensure that we are able to maintain the high levels of customer service we intend to be the hallmark of London Southend Airport as our passenger numbers grow. No changes are proposed – or needed – to the binding legal agreement already made with Rochford, Southend and Essex County Council which sets out the comprehensive controls on the way the airport operates, including noise controls, limits on number and type of operations and night flights and promotion of sustainable transport – all of which were already designed to cater for 2 million passengers a year.”
He added“This is also more evidence of the role the redeveloped airport can and will play in supporting the regeneration of the wider economy.”
If the extension plan is passed, construction work could get underway later this year.
The proposed Phase 2 Development.
http://www.southendairport.com/news/latest-news/terminal-extension-will-create-300-new-jobs/
3 recent planning applications
1. The airport is applying for permission to extend the new terminal to make
it three times its current size.
Planning Authority: Rochford District Council
Planning Reference: 12/00103/FUL
Extension Of Passenger Terminal Building; Configuration Of An Aircraft Parking Area For 5 Aircraft Stands; Passenger Walkways; And Associated Works
Web link:
http://maps.rochford.gov.uk/DevelopmentControl.aspx?requesttype=parsetemplate&template=DevelopmentControlApplication.tmplt&basepage=DevelopmentControl.aspx&Filter=^REFVAL^=’12/00103/FUL’
Deadline for objections to this planning application was 6th March 2012. Rochford District Council says that despite the nominal deadline having passed on 6th March, further comments on the application to expand the terminal will still be accepted. Don’t forget that anyone can comment on a planning application – you don’t have to live in Rochford District.
It is important to object to this proposal because the size of the terminal is the ultimate limiting factor on the number of passengers (and therefore flights) that the airport can handle. The airport is proposing this expansion before the impact of the work done to date is known. It’s likely that they want to secure this extension to the terminal before the impact is known and they become even more unpopular with residents and councillors feel greater pressure to oppose it.
2. The airport applied to make permanent the temporary
planning permission they have for an access road to the back of the airport
station from Southend Road along with applying for retrospective planning
permission for “reprofiling” (dumping of soil on) the site.
Planning Authority: Rochford District Council
Planning reference: 12/00102/FUL
Decision: Refuse planning permission
Web link:
http://maps.rochford.gov.uk/DevelopmentControl.aspx?requesttype=parsetemplate&template=DevelopmentControlApplication.tmplt&basepage=DevelopmentControl.aspx&Filter=^REFVAL^=’12/00102/FUL’
Deadline for objections to this planning application was 6th March 2012
3. A planning application has been submitted by Mr Steve Murray who resides
at 14 Smallholdings to turn the land behind his property into ‘private’
airport parking for 150 cars. He also intends to run a Park & Ride scheme to
and from the airport.
Planning Authority: Southend Borough Council
Planning Reference: 12/00182/FUL
Web link:
http://planning.southend.gov.uk/PublicAccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=LZCLFPPA01Z00
Deadline for objections to this planning application was 7th March 2012
This story was featured in the Echo recently:
A member of SAEN, the local campaign group, writes (late March 2012) that he has learned from a local property letting company that they cannot get enough properties in the Southend area. There are staff from Stansted being relocated to Southend, because of the easyJet flights starting in April. An advert in the Leigh Times says: “Quality Homes wanted within commuting distance of Southend Airport for relocating airline staff 01702 277 681”
So much for the hopes of lots of new jobs for Southend area people.
I want to create second Southend Airport car park
24th February 2012
A MAN wants to turn his back yard into a car park for airport users.
Self-employed builder Steve Murray has lodged plans to transform the land, at the rear of Smallholdings Cottages, on Eastwoodbury Lane, Southend.
The unused yard, which is about the size of half a football pitch, would cater for as many as 150 cars.
Mr Murray said the facility was a private venture and did not involve airport bosses.
He is also planning to run a regular mini-bus shuttle service, taking passengers to and from the airport.
Explaining the reasons behind his plan, Mr Murray said: “There is always going to be a need for something like this.
“Millions of passengers are going to be flying from the airport soon, and I’m sure it can’t expand its own parking that much more.
“I had lived here for ten years and then the airport expansion came along – that’s when I thought of the idea.”
He said the car park would be 24-hour and create six jobs for residents – four full-time and two part-time.
However, one leading councillor has already slammed the plan, claiming the development was inappropriate for a residential area.
Mark Flewitt, who represents St Laurence ward, has already referred the matter to the council’s development and control committee, noting his objections.
He said: “If I lived opposite there and knew it was going to be a private car park I would be concerned.”
However, Mr Murray claimed residents would not be directly affected by the proposed service.
He said most of the neighbouring properties had been demolished, making way for the expansion.
He also said he had not finalised what he planned to charge for the service.
If the plans get the go-ahead, the park-and-ride service could be up and running this year.
People have until March 7 to contact Southend Council with any objections.
No one from Southend Airport was available to comment.