Lydd Airport (London Ashford)
There will be a Public Inquiry into the airport's expansion plans-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Lydd Airport Action Group welcomes Public Inquiry24th June 2010 LAAG welcomed the decision of the Secretary of State for DCLG, Eric Pickles,
to call in Lydd Airport’s planning application for a public inquiry. The case
for a public inquiry was compelling as the application satisfied 4 of the 5 government
criteria to determine if a inquiry should take place. These include conflict with
national policy on important matters; significant effects beyond the immediate
locality; and substantial regional or national controversy. Click here to view full story...
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Shepway District Council approves plans to expand Lydd Airport
4th March 2010 Two planning applications – one for a runway extension and one for a new terminal
building - have been approved by Shepway councillors by 27 votes to 12. The plans
were approved despite a planning officer's report recommending that the application
be refused on the grounds that noise and damage to natural habitats would outweigh
any economic benefit that the airport expansion would bring. CPRE Kent said "The
environmental impact is going to be devastating." Click here to view full story...
Lydd Airport determination to be on 3rd March 2010
28th October 2009 The meeting to determine Lydd Airport's planning application will take place on Wednesday 3rd March 2010 at Shepway District Council. The local group, LAAG, have found out through FoI that the airport challenged Shepway District Council's Officer's Report, published July 1st 2009, and the long delay in getting determination has been due to the council accommodating the airport's wish to overcome the objection. (LAAG) Click here to view full story...
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Lydd airport Planning Application:
London Ashford Airport (Lydd) formally submitted the planning applications relating
to it's expansion at the beginning of 2007. It has been hugely delayed.
Two major applications were filed with Shepway District Council.
The first - (Y06/1648/SH) concerned transforming their runway to handle large jets, (Boeing 737 and Airbus
A320 size), by adding 294 metres to it's length, plus another 150 meter starter
extension.
The 2nd (Y06/1647/SH) was for the erection of a terminal building and car parking to handle an initial
500,000 passengers annually. Copies of the planning applications and related
documents are available to view in council offices, and on the Shepway District
Council web site.
"Keep the Marsh Special" and LAAG are committed to fighting these proposals. This is what you can do:
The deadline for comments was initially 30th Jan 2008.
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"Lydd Airport is a small local airport owned by Sheikh Fahad al Athel, which
is planning to become a regional airport with 2 million passengers per annum by
2015. Lydd is not a suitable site for a regional airport being surrounded by fragile
habitats protected under European and UK laws, located under the largest migratory
bird route in the South of England, located less than 3 miles from the Dungeness
nuclear complex and less than 2 miles and 8 miles from the Lydd and Hythe military
ranges. The growth in the airport will directly and indirectly damage the rare
plant, invertebrate, bird and animal populations of Dungeness and pose a major
public safety risk as fully loaded B737s will be taking off and landing less than
three miles from the Dungeness nuclear power complex."
Desired outcome:
Not to have any further development of Lydd Airport
Who we need to influence:
Local Councillors, local MPs, Lydd Airport management, local people, people concerned
about air safety, people concern about the environment.
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Airport Owner:
Airport Operator:
Airport website:
Airport Master Plan:
- It is proposed to extend the runway from 1505m by 294m plus 150m as a starter extension. A total of
1949m. The largest aircraft currently operating at the airport is the B737 family or similar aircraft size.
Airport Consultative Committee:
CAA figures: CAA aviation statistics
Terminal Passengers: (thousands) CAA - Terminal Passengers
2005 3
2000 1
1996 -
Air Traffic Movements : CAA ATM statistics
2005 -
2000 -
1996 -
Air Freight (tonnes): CAA Air Freight statistics
2006 and 2007 and 2008 - none
2005 -
2000 1
1996 -
Airport Contact Details:
Lydd
Romney Marsh,
Multimap: Map of TN29 9QL
Local community groups:
Recent news about Lydd airport:
Lydd Airport chief Jonathan Gordon steps down
8th July 2010 Lydd Airport’s managing director has resigned after the airport’s £25m expansion plans were called in by the Government. Jonathan Gordon said it would be in the “best interests” of the project. Mr Gordon, who was brought into the expansion project in August, spoke of his busy schedule as a consultant to other aviation organisations. The senior management team at Lydd has taken overall control of the business and will fight the public inquiry. Click here to view full story...
24th June 2010 LAAG welcomed the decision of the Secretary of State for DCLG, Eric Pickles,
to call in Lydd Airport’s planning application for a public inquiry. The case
for a public inquiry was compelling as the application satisfied 4 of the 5 government
criteria to determine if a inquiry should take place. These include conflict with
national policy on important matters; significant effects beyond the immediate
locality; and substantial regional or national controversy. Click here to view full story...
"Queen’s Speech does NOT support Lydd Airport’s expansion"
7.6.2010 The Lydd Area Action Group is delighted that the Queen's Speech confirmed
that the new coalition government only supports airport development "within the
constraints of the existing runway infrastructure." Lydd airport operates now
at about 1% of its current capacity - it had less than 2,000 passengers in 2009,
and made a loss of £2 million in 2009. Manston also operates at a tiny % of capacity
and makes a huge loss - so Kent has huge excess capacity already. Click here to view full story...
10th April 2010 The vote by Shepway councillors to approve the expansion proposals has hardened
battle lines. Climate-change campaigners and environmentalists defending wildlife
sanctuaries now confront flying enthusiasts and those eager to bring jobs to an
area with few large employers. The Sec of State at DCLG is due to decide on 11th
June on a public inquiry. Current policy is to use existing landing capacity wherever
possible before building Boris Island. (Guardian)
Click here to view full story...
Lydd plans approved against all advice - needs a public inquiry
4th March 2010 The RSPB, along with a huge range of other organisations and individuals, has
expressed disappointment and concern at the decision by Shepway District Councillors
to go against the recommendations of their own officers, Natural England and legal
and policy requirements by approving the plans to expand Lydd airport. RSPB for SE England said it is difficult to understand how the Councillors can
have reached this decision against advice and public opinion. (RSPB)
Click here to view full story...
Shepway District Council approves plans to expand Lydd Airport
4th March 2010 Two planning applications – one for a runway extension and one for a new terminal
building - have been approved by Shepway councillors by 27 votes to 12. The plans
were approved despite a planning officer's report recommending that the application
be refused on the grounds that noise and damage to natural habitats would outweigh
any economic benefit that the airport expansion would bring. CPRE Kent said "The
environmental impact is going to be devastating." Click here to view full story...
Michael Howard supports Lydd Airport - house price compensation is not the answer
2nd March 2010 Michael Howard has announced his support for Lydd Airport’s large scale development
and his backing of Jonathan Gordon, Managing Director of Lydd Airport. LAAG has
always suspected that Michael Howard introduced Jonathan Gordon to Sheikh Fahad
al Athel through his connection with Jonathan Aitken. Michael Howard and Lydd
Airport have acknowledged that the airport will reduce house prices. (LAAG)
Click here to view full story...
Lydd Airport - New Flight Paths
Lydd Airport determination to be on 3rd March 2010
28th October 2009 The meeting to determine Lydd Airport's planning application will take place
on Wednesday 3rd March 2010 at Shepway District Council. The local group, LAAG,
have found out through FoI that the airport challenged Shepway District Council's
Officer's Report, published July 1st 2009, and the long delay in getting determination
has been due to the council accommodating the airport's wish to overcome the objection.
(LAAG)
Click here to view full story...
27th July 2009 Lydd Airport Action Group (LAAG) is pleased to announce that Matthew Horton QC
will represent Lydd Airport Action Group at Shepway’s full council meeting to
determine Lydd Airport’s planning application for a runway extension and new terminal.
Mr. Horton is recognized as one of the foremost barristers’ in the country specializing
in Planning and Environmental law. The full council meeting will now be held on
Thursday September 24th, 2009 at 7pm. (LAAG) Click here to view full story...
30th June 2009 Alistair Stewart (CEO of Shepway District Council) has advised that determination of the Lydd airport application is to be postponed until September 23rd - the second postponement. The planning officers report will still be published on July 1st. The airport hopes to be allowed to extend its runway and erect new buildings, to enable it to expand to 500,000 passengers per year. (LAAG) Click here to view full story...
Shepway District Council's planning officers' report recommends that planning permission for both the runway extension and the new terminal be refused (see below for details)
European Habitats Legal Opinion in LAAG’s Favour
2nd February 2009 A leading planning barrister, Matthew Horton QC has expressed a legal opinion
in favour of Lydd Airport Action Group’s contention that Lydd Airport’s Master
Plan should be taken into account in the assessment (Appropriate Assessment) which
determines the adverse impact Lydd Airport’s expansion plans will have on the
European protected habitats that surround its runway. Lydd Airport’s Master Plan
sets plans to grow numbers to 2 million passengers per annum. (LAAG) Click here to view full story...
Have your say on new Dungeness C nuclear power plant plan close to Lydd
2008
8 December 2008 LAAG approaches European Commission over potential infringement of Habitats Regulation
3 November 2008 Lydd Airport’s Planning Application - Opposition Reiterated
13 October 2008 Lydd Airport’s Expansion - Nuclear Safety Remains an Issue
14 May 2008 Inappropriate behaviour of Councillor Paul Carter
8 Jan 2008 LAAG Appoints Legal Advisor
05.11.08 Lydd Airport expansion – ‘nuclear safety remains an issue’
02.11.08 Lydd Airport boss expects to benefit from BAA sell off
01.08.08 Former F1 ace crashes van on way to Lydd Airport
1. The Bureau Veritas Appropriate Assessment report in Appendix 7 be agreed and adopted by the council, as the competent authority, concluding that the proposals for a runway extension and new terminal and car park will have significant adverse effects, including uncertainty about some of the effects, on the integrity of the European sites having regard to the Wildlife and
Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) and Regulation 48 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats and c) Regulations 1994.
2. That planning permission be refused for the runway extension (Y06/1648/SH) and the new terminal and car park (Y06/1647/SH) on the following grounds:
a) The proposals will result in significant adverse effects on the integrity of the Dungeness Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Dungeness to Pett Level Special Protection Area (SPA), including uncertainty about some of the effects. Consequently, the proposals are contrary to Shepway District Local Plan Review policies CO8 and TR15, South East Plan policy NRM5 and PPS9.
b) The proposals will result in significant adverse effects on the Dungeness, Romney Marsh and Rye Bay Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Dungeness National Nature Reserve, contrary to Shepway District Local Plan Review policy CO9, South East Plan policy NRM5 and PPS9.
c) The applications have not considered sufficiently the effects upon the pRAMSAR and pSPA. The council considers the proposals are likely to result in significant adverse effects, which is a material planning consideration, being potentially contrary to Shepway District Local Plan Review policy CO8, South East Plan policy NRM5 and PPS9.
d) There will be adverse noise effects on the local community, especially near the airport, and some of these are considered materially significant. Whilst the effects can be partially mitigated, not all of them can. There will also be some other limited adverse effects in the area, including the enjoyment of the Romney Marsh and Dungeness area generally, and the Kent Downs AONB. Consequently the proposals are considered contrary to Shepway District Local Plan Review policy SD1, particularly SD1 (k) and to a lesser extent (c) and (d).
e) Whilst the expansion and associated investment in the local economy is a welcome prospect, the adverse effects on the SPA, SAC, SSSI, pSPA, pRAMSAR, local community and other features mean that the planning applications should be refused. Furthermore, given there is no overriding strategic justification for the proposals the adverse effects make them
unsustainable in the planning policy context, being contrary to Shepway District Local Plan Review policy SD1 and South East Plan policy CC1.
3. In addition to the reasons above, planning permission for the new terminal and car park (Y06/1647/SH) be refused for the following reason:
f) Upgrade works would be required to the junction formed by the B2075 (Romney Road) and the A259 (Lydd Road), known as "Hammonds Corner’. Natural England and the council are of the opinion that protected species surveys should be undertaken prior to any applications for the new terminal and car park being considered. A planning authority when making a planning decision should be in receipt of a full set of information to enable it to reach a fully informed decision in accordance with best practice and national policy (PPS9), taking account of Shepway District Local Plan Review policies CO9 and CO11 and South East Plan policy
NRM5.
In coming to this decision, regard has been had to the following policies:
(Page 52)
Shepway District Local Plan Review – SD1, BE1, BE2, BE7, BE15, BE16, U1a, U2, U4,
U6, U7, U8, U9, U10, U10a, U15, TR1, TR2, TR5, TR6, TR8, TR11, TR12, TR13, TR15,
CO1, CO3, CO4, CO5, Co8, CO9, CO10, CO11, CO12, CO13, CO14, CO15
The South East Plan – BE6, CC1, CC2, CC4, CC7, PPS9, SP2, T1, T2, T5, T4, T8, T9,
T14, NRM1, NRM4, NRM5, NRM7, NRM9. NRM10, NRM11, NRM12, W2 and M1.
(30th December 2000)
Copyright AirportWatch, 2004