The debate ran long into the night and eventually Shepway’s councillors voted to approve the runway extension and new terminal building. Tthe full text of our press release issued in response to this latest stage in this long running case follows.
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.
Chris Corrigan, RSPB director for South East England, said, “It is difficult to understand how the Councillors can have reached this decision. The Council’s own officers and their independent expert ecological advisors have pointed out the problems and recommended rejection. Natural England, the Government’s statutory advisors on nature conservation also recommended rejection. In the only public polls carried out, local people recommended rejection. And yet, Shepway District Councillors have decided that the plans should be approved.
“The RSPB believes that given the wide ranging level of popular and technical opposition, the plans for the expansion of Lydd Airport must now be called in for public inquiry so that the facts can face a full and open public examination.”
The RSPB has stated from the outset that Lydd is an entirely inappropriate location for an enlarged passenger airport. As well as being in an amazing place for wildlife, much of which is protected, it has no public transport links and the road network struggles to cope with the existing levels, never mind any increase that would have resulted from the expansion plans.
The campaign will continue and, despite last night’s disappointment, this is the right time to thank and pay tribute to the many organisations and individuals who have been part of the campaign so far.
Thanks for the supportive comments. A public inquiry should be the next stage of this saga - but we can't take that for granted. The decision has to be 'called in' by the Secretary of State and the campaign's next focus will be to ensure that happens.
While we were watching the seven-hour marathon meeting in Folkestone - councillors in North Somerset were considering a similar proposal for Bristol airport. Their council officers had recommended approval (the opposite of the situation in Kent) - a decision was deferred as councillors struggle to find planning reasons to reject the application on climate change grounds. In both cases, call in and proper determination at a public inquiry is the way forward.
It is difficult to understand how responsible people could take such an appalling and inappropriate descision. Such a development is totally at odds with the environment of the area and in respect of the efforts now being made to combat global warming. I trust a public inquiry, which must now surely take place, will reverse this misguided action.
Alan Parfitt
redkite
We wholeheartedly agree with you Andre in every respect, an extremely disappointing night and we are absolutely appalled at the decision taken by Shepway District Council. But as you so rightly say the campaign will go on and the plans MUST now be called in for a public inquiry.
Gill, Joan and George