Lydd airport has appointed a consultant for its expansion, but result of 2 legal challenges still awaited
Lydd airport has put out a press release, giving the impression that it is already getting on with building its 294 metre runway extension (plus a 150m starter extension). However, in reality, it has merely appointed some consultants. The airport is still waiting the result of the legal appeal against its planning application. There were two separate legal challenges against the application; one from the RSPB and one from the local community group, LAAG. If the appeal of either is accepted by the judge, the planning consent could be quashed. If that were the case, and one appeal won, the planning application has to be re-determined on the subject matters under question. Lydd is saying it has appointed Capita to design and manage its runway extension. Capita helped design Crossrail, and its job at Lydd would be to provide project, cost, construction and design management services for the airport as well as civil and aviation design services. Lydd says it is nearing completion of a number of pre-commencement conditions required to enable planning permission for the runway extension to be implemented.
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Airport claims “Work gets underway on Lydd Airport expansion”
AH Lydd airport design
WORK has started on the first phase of a multi-million pound expansion at Lydd Airport.
Lydd Airport on Romney Marsh has appointed specialists Capita to design and manage its runway extension.
Capita, part of the design team for London’s £14.8 billion Crossrail transport scheme, will be providing project, cost, construction and design management services for the airport as well as civil and aviation design services.
Lydd Airport Executive Manager Hani Mutlaq said: “Capita has a wealth of experience in the highly specialised area of designing and building transport infrastructure, and was selected for this project partly on the basis of its recent work on the design of a similar runway extension at Southend Airport.”
Lydd Airport’s 294m runway extension, plus a 150m starter extension, will be the first phase of its £25 million development plans, which also include a new terminal building.
Once completed, the extended runway will enable B737-type aircraft to fly with a full payload of passengers, maximising the availability of routes and aircraft choice to operators.
The airport is now nearing completion of a number of pre-commencement conditions required to enable planning permission for the runway extension to be implemented.
Bosses hope to invite contractors to tender for the runway construction project in late summer and anticipate that work will begin before the end of the year.
In the meantime, managers will be flying to Dubai in May to showcase the airport’s development at two major travel and aviation events, where they expect a high level of interest.
They will join more than 250 companies showcasing the latest technology, innovations, products and services to around 7,000 visitors.
Mr Mutlaq said: “These events attract high-level decision-makers and buyers from across the leisure, travel and aviation industries worldwide and provide an excellent platform for us to explore new business opportunities.
“ The shows will also give us the chance to look at the latest technology.
Lydd Holdings, which owns and operates Lydd Airport (also known as London Ashford Airport), has already spent £35 million upgrading the airport over the last decade – including the installation of a state-of-the-art instrument landing system; a new executive terminal with VIP facilities; improved passenger check-in and security; and a new departure lounge.
It caters for a wide range of aircraft operations and provides extensive services, including full air traffic control and navigational aids, an FBO (fixed base operator) with 24-hr operating capability, full terminal services and engineering and cargo facilities.
Airport bosses claim the expansion will create new jobs and bring vital regeneration to the Marsh Area.
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Legal challenge against Lydd airport expansion plans at the High Court by RSPB and LAAG. 21st to 27th January 2014
RSPB on 21st and 22nd. LAAG on 23rd and 24th January.
January 21, 2014
A legal challenge to the decision to allow expansion at Lydd in Kent is being heard on 21st and 22nd January, at the Royal Courts of Justice in London. A public inquiry was held into the applications by Lydd Airport in 2011 at which the RSPB raised concerns about the impact an expansion would have on the nearby protected wildlife area of Dungeness. The inspector found in favour of the airport’s proposals – and his report was subsequently endorsed by the Secretaries of State for Communities and Local Government and for Transport. After careful consideration the RSPB issued a legal challenge to the final decision based on the inspector’s report. The RSPB believes the stakes are too high to risk the future of one of the UK’s best and most important places for nature without testing the basis for this decision which they consider to be flawed. Dungeness is one of the most important wildlife sites in the world and it is protected at global, European and UK levels. It is home to many threatened species and is also a crossroads for migrating birds stopping off on migration. The Lydd Airport Action Group (LAAG) have a separate appeal which will be heard after that of the RSPB. They have concerns about the airport’s proximity to the nuclear power station. LAAG did not want to disclose further details of its case until the court hearing. Click here to view full story…