Shepway District Council has approved plans to expand Lydd Airport in Kent
building – went before councillors last night and were approved by 27 votes to
12.
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.
a “victory for the people of Shepway”.
the airport and when councillors took stock of the overwhelming body of evidence
in front of them, they were persuaded to vote in a positive way. They have made
the right choice for the future of our community”, he said.
director Sean Furey said: “The decision by Shepway Council shows little consideration
has been made for the tranquillity of this unique area or opposition from local
residents.
“The Councils own planning officers advised the plans be rejected, yet still
approval has been given.
made for this area, yet sadly it has now been made. The environmental impact is
going to be devastating.”
of excessive noise and damage to the environment.
and extend its runway by almost 300m (328yds) after a seven-hour meeting.
27 to 12 in favour on Wednesday.
extension plus a 150m (164yds) starter apron, where aircraft are parked, loaded
and boarded.
for the people of Shepway”.
of the airport and when councillors took stock of the overwhelming body of evidence
in front of them, they were persuaded to vote in a positive way.
and green tourism was the way forward for Romney Marsh “without destroying the
most beautiful and scientifically important part of our area”.
and have an adverse impact on the area.
could have a detrimental effect on conservation areas and expressed concern about
the impact of noise on local residents.
to it’s expansion at the beginning of 2007. It has been hugely delayed.
A320 size), by adding 294 metres to it’s length, plus another 150 meter starter
extension.
500,000 passengers annually.
From the office of South-East England’s Green MEP
04 March 2010
DECISION TO EXPAND LYDD AIRPORT ‘A REAL BLOW FOR RESIDENTS’, SAYS KENT’S GREEN
MEP
Reacting to news today that Shepway District Council has approved the planned
expansion of Lydd Airport (1), Kent’s Green Euro-MP and Green Party leader Caroline
Lucas said:
"By approving Lydd Airport’s reckless plans to build a new terminal and extend
its runway by almost 300m, councillors have completely ignored the advice of planning
officers who recommended they refuse the application – and turned a blind eye
to the genuine concerns of local residents.
enable Michael Howard MP to address the crucial planning meeting in favour of
expansion speaks volumes about the inherent bias that we’ve seen in the process
from the start.
"It beggars belief that the managing director of Lydd Airport is describing this
decision as ‘a victory for the people of Shepway’. Residents and campaigners have
long warned that expansion at Lydd could have grave consequences for the local
environment and their quality of life."
Lucas continued: "It is not difficult to imagine the impact of an extra 500,000
passengers a year using the poor local transport infrastructure, not to mention
the inevitable increase in aircraft noise, disturbance and air pollution that
an enlarged facility will bring.
"Indeed, a planning officer’s report released in February expressed concern about
the impact of noise on local residents, and said that the runway extension could
have a detrimental effect on valuable conservation areas.
"The Dungeness to Pett Levels Special Protection Area (SPA), designated for its
internationally important bird populations, and Dungeness Special Area of Conservation
(SAC), designated for its great crested newt populations and rare shingle habitat,
could be particularly at risk. These designations represent the highest level
of legal wildlife habitat protection available in Britain.
"What’s more, the large numbers of birds in Dungeness make this a high bird strike
risk area. Around 90,000 gulls are known to roost near to the airport on Romney
sands."
She concluded: "At a time of ongoing debate over aviation and its effect on global
warming, and the growing realisation that unchecked economic growth is not improving
our wellbeing or quality of life, Shepway councillors should be taking their responsibilities
seriously and creating a more sustainable environment for local people."
ENDS
Notes to Editors
(1)
For more information on the work of Dr Lucas MEP, please contact Melissa Freeman
on 0207 407 9935 / 07950 382149 or