PPCs Discuss Core Issues Of Future Of Marsh

Note – Conservative Association Chairman Russell Tillson kindly supplied this information.
The two main contenders for the Folkestone and Hythe parliamentary seat restated near-polar opposite views on the future of the Marsh.

Conservative parliamentary candidate Damian Collins and Liberal Democrat candidate Lynne Beaumont both spoke at public meeting on the future of Dungeness C power station, held in Lydd on Feb 13.

Since the government’s decision last year to not include Dungeness as a possible site for a new nuclear power station, the Conservative position is to support a new power station and the Liberal Democrat position is to oppose it.

In a summary of comments kindly sent to FUTS by Conservative Association Chairman Russell Tillson, Cllr Beaumont raised concerns over the storage of waste for 160 years and the risk of flooding in the future.

Continuing calls for tourism to be the alternative to the power station, Cllr Beaumont is quoted as saying ‘the aim is to bring an extra half a million people to the Marsh in the next five to ten years,’ and that ‘economically green tourism is the way forward.’ She has called a meeting to discuss this in greater detail to be held at the RSPB reserve at 2pm March 1.

Cllr Beaumont raised concerns over waste storage onsite, claiming it would be in pools at the risk of flooding for 160 years. This issue has generated front page splashes and a TV news report for the Lib Dems.

Mr Collins steadfastly called for Dungeness C to be built, saying ‘I am an unashamed supporter of Dungeness C’ and promising that he would lobby and fight for Dungeness C ‘from Day One of a Conservative government’.

Mr Collins also said that Dungeness C could be connected to the national grid more quickly than at other sites, and placed the issue in the national context of power shortfalls and the need to produce large amounts of energy.

Highlighting the economic benefits the power station brings, Mr Collins also criticised Lib Dem plans, saying ‘you can’t have an economy based on seasonal tourism.’

The Liberal Democrat position to not support a new power station appears to put them at odds with public opinion. However, Cllr Beaumont is confident that attitudes are changing. Speaking to FUTS, she said although ‘some nasty comments have come my way,’ the vast majority of correspondence has been extremely supportive and has praised her for offering an alternative vision for the Marsh.

Many thanks to Cllr Tillson for this information.