At last the Public Inquiry has properly opened in Folkestone to start hearing evidence that will decide the fate of wildlife and local people in the Dungeness area from a massively expanded airport at Lydd.
It was fantastic to see local people turning up to show their feelings against the expansion that is likely to damage their local environment and quality of life. The public viewing area in the council chamber was so full that an overflow area was opened up so people could watch and listen to proceedings.
The day started with all parties presenting their opening statements summarising the outline of their case.
It was reassuring to hear that both the council and the airport team agreed that the views of local people were relevant and important - let's hope they finally decide to listen to them then. In the only independent local referenda, local people voted overwhelmingly against an expanded airport - 2 to 1 against! They have emphatically rejected an expanded airport.
It was also emphasised that the local area needs new jobs - no-one denies this. However, the RSPB believes that creating new jobs from an expanded airport would not only damage the wider environment, but could also jeopardise existing jobs in the tourism industry. Why not promote this beautiful and distinctive environment as a place to come and see wonderful wildlife, creating a more sustainable economy, based on eco-tourism, that won't degrade this unique place?
Instead Shepway Council believe that an expanded airport will raise the profile of this part of Kent as a visitor destination and bring new people to the area. What would these visitors come to see? Certainly not an amazing wildlife spectacle, but maybe large passenger jets instead?
Over the next two weeks the RSPB will present evidence on the impact of an expanded airport on the important bird populations in this highly protected place, the effect on our much-valued nature reserve at Dungeness and also the impact on climate change.
Other objecting parties will highlight damage to the sensitive plants on the vegetated shingle from air pollution, the loss of the area's famous tranquillity and the safety issues raised by the development of such as a large airport near a nuclear power plant- in fact the nearest airport to a nuclear power plant in the UK
Dedicated RSPB staff will be here at the Public Inquiry for much of the time over the coming months - watch this space for more updates as the proceedings continue.
To find out more about what is happening near you go to: www.rspb.org.uk/nearyou
Lydd has no decent road links, no rail links and is miles and miles from London. I would probably be quicker to land in paris and get the eurostar than to land at Lydd to get to London. So how on earth will this 'London Lydd' airport work!? Madness
UK Wildlife
"We truly believe that there should be no further expansion at Lydd Airport.
As Kent residents we feel that we should be looking to make the most of these wonderful natural assets which bring long-term sustainable benefits and opportunities to the area for jobs in green tourism and habitat management.
The area's unique habitats and wildlife are protected under national and international Law and it would be totally wrong to put them at risk through the inappropriate development of a large airport.
Friends of the North Kent Marshes