One reason that our casework (the work we do to prevent damage to our best wildlife sites) lends itself to blogging is that it goes on so long - the story can develop over years before a final resolution. But we thought as far as Lydd airport's expansion plans were concerned we were nearing the end. The story so far, Lydd airport is a small operation set on the Dungeness peninsula in Kent. It lies cheek by jowl with our RSPB Dungeness nature reserve and plans to extend its runway and increase its passenger numbers from 4000 to half a million. On the basis of a careful analysis of the risks this poses to the sensitive wildlife of Dungeness, the RSPB objected to the proposal. We thought that the case would be coming to a conclusion later this month as the local authority, Shepway District Council, were set to come to a view on the airport's application on 24 September following delay after delay. Shepway's planning officers have recommend that the council refuse the application, a line the RSPB has strongly supported.
And then, out of the blue, a further delay. The airport's newly appointed managing director, Jonathan Gordon, has been associated with the airport for some time yet is pleading more time to study the airport's own expansion plans. So on we go; we understand that a new date is likely to be set for February or March next year. Frustrating, certainly, but as Mr Gordon's predecessor was claiming that the airport had knocked over all the objections 'one by one', this may not be a bad sign. If, at last, the airport has realised it can't avoid the conclusion that its proposals will damage the wildlife of Dungeness then it's time for the airport to withdraw its plans once and for all.
The frustration isn't just felt by us at the RSPB. Opponents of the airport expansion in the Dungeness area and from much further afield are getting exasperated by the repeated delays. Many of our own supporters have written to Shepway Council to coincide with the decision day, only to find that it's been moved. This is not only annoying but also leaves many local people unsure of their future and the future of the landscape the they love.
Now that Mr Gordon has so much reading time he may like to catch up with today's news that if air travel remains unconstrained the UK will have to achieve a 90% reduction in green house gas emissions.
There is one small silver lining to the delay - more chances to write about Dungeness and its wildlife. This one will run and run.