Lydd Airport Appeals Stalling?

The future of the Lydd Airport applications to enlarge the current airport remains in doubt.

The decision to approve the expansion was the most controversial planning application of recent times and any decision was widely tipped to be appealed to the secretary of State and go to public enquiry via the Government Office for the South East (G.O.S.E.).

The RSPB says (also linked on the Shepway Lib Dem site) that G.O.S.E. have received 'many letters requesting that the applications for the expansion of Lydd Airport are called in'. Calling in means a decision would be reconsidered by higher authorities.

However, the site then quotes correspondence from G.O.S.E. which appears to cast doubt on the possibility of an enquiry;

'The Secretary of State is currently considering whether or not to call in the applications and your comments and reasons for your requests will be taken into consideration.

'Parliament has entrusted [local planning authorities] with responsibility for the day to day planning control in their areas.  It is right that in general they should be free to carry out their duties responsibly, with the minimum of interference.'

This could be a major blow to anti-airport campaigners. It is difficult to see that a Conservative government at the next election would lead to a change in approach. Conservative MP Michael Howard supports the application, Conservative candidate and favourite for the seat Damian Collins supports the application. The G.O.S.E. under a Labour government look unwilling to call-in the decision.

Local Lib Dems are campaigning strongly against the Lydd Airport but look unlikely to win the seat and less likely to return a national government.