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.
Showing posts with label Lydd Airport. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lydd Airport. Show all posts
Friday, 9 April 2010
Tuesday, 16 March 2010
Lydd Airport Applications Grounded? (L.A.A.G.)
Government Advisory body Natural England has called on the Secretary of State to call the Lydd Airport Applications.
Both Kent Online and Shepway Lib Dem websites are reporting that the decision has been called in and that the Government Office for the South East will decide whether to refer the matter to the Secretary of State.
In a press release dated March 12, kindly passed onto FUTS by Conservative Cllr Russell Tillson, Natural England Area Manager Rob Cameron is quoted as saying;
“We [Natural England] have to be consulted by law because the proposed expansion at the LAA at Lydd may affect nature conservation sites of national and international importance. The scientific evidence supports the need for the ‘call in’.
“If the Secretary of State agrees to Natural England’s request, this would most likely result in a Public Inquiry,
“We believe the applicant has been unable to demonstrate that the sites of national and international importance for nature conservation would not be adversely affected by the proposed developments.”
Natural England, set up on 2006 to be an independent advisory body, is also concerned that the Bird Control Plan is insufficiently detailed and the potential reduction in air quality.
The Lydd Airport expansion applications are the most controversial of recent times. Strong views have been expressed both for and against.
Shepway planning officers recommended refusal. Councillors voted to combine the Shepway officers’ report with the London Ashford Airport report before passing the planning applications, after a 7 hour meeting on March 3, with 27 councillors voting in favour.
It was widely expected that any decision would lead to an appeal. Lydd Airport Action Group, the largest organised group against the applications, announced their intention to request a call in the day after the approval.
Both Kent Online and Shepway Lib Dem websites are reporting that the decision has been called in and that the Government Office for the South East will decide whether to refer the matter to the Secretary of State.
In a press release dated March 12, kindly passed onto FUTS by Conservative Cllr Russell Tillson, Natural England Area Manager Rob Cameron is quoted as saying;
“We [Natural England] have to be consulted by law because the proposed expansion at the LAA at Lydd may affect nature conservation sites of national and international importance. The scientific evidence supports the need for the ‘call in’.
“If the Secretary of State agrees to Natural England’s request, this would most likely result in a Public Inquiry,
“We believe the applicant has been unable to demonstrate that the sites of national and international importance for nature conservation would not be adversely affected by the proposed developments.”
Natural England, set up on 2006 to be an independent advisory body, is also concerned that the Bird Control Plan is insufficiently detailed and the potential reduction in air quality.
The Lydd Airport expansion applications are the most controversial of recent times. Strong views have been expressed both for and against.
Shepway planning officers recommended refusal. Councillors voted to combine the Shepway officers’ report with the London Ashford Airport report before passing the planning applications, after a 7 hour meeting on March 3, with 27 councillors voting in favour.
It was widely expected that any decision would lead to an appeal. Lydd Airport Action Group, the largest organised group against the applications, announced their intention to request a call in the day after the approval.
Thursday, 4 March 2010
Conservative Candidate says -Lydd Airport Affect Good (L.A.A.G.)*
Conservative Candidate Damian Collins has welcomed the expansion of Lydd Airport, stating in a press release;
‘Shepway has now sent a clear message that it is serious about attracting investment into the area to regenerate the economy and create new jobs. This investment is badly needed in Lydd and Romney Marsh ... particularly now that the future of nuclear power at Dungeness is uncertain.
‘The recession has made life harder for many people, and we cannot afford to throw away the chance of new jobs from the development of businesses that already exist – there has of course been an active airport at Lydd since the 1950s. This for me has always been an important consideration in supporting both the development of Lydd airport and building a new power station at Dungeness.
Noting that after the expansion flying time will be more controlled, Mr Collins also states he believes environmental issues ‘were answered in the presentations and that the members made the right decision in voting in favour of the development.’
Prior to the meeting, Mr Collins had stated that he ‘supported limited expansion depending on what the [planning officers’] report said,’ and subsequently expressed concerns that Natural England had too much power in the debate after officers recommended refusal.
* I know it's not the correct word but it was the best I could do
‘Shepway has now sent a clear message that it is serious about attracting investment into the area to regenerate the economy and create new jobs. This investment is badly needed in Lydd and Romney Marsh ... particularly now that the future of nuclear power at Dungeness is uncertain.
‘The recession has made life harder for many people, and we cannot afford to throw away the chance of new jobs from the development of businesses that already exist – there has of course been an active airport at Lydd since the 1950s. This for me has always been an important consideration in supporting both the development of Lydd airport and building a new power station at Dungeness.
Noting that after the expansion flying time will be more controlled, Mr Collins also states he believes environmental issues ‘were answered in the presentations and that the members made the right decision in voting in favour of the development.’
Prior to the meeting, Mr Collins had stated that he ‘supported limited expansion depending on what the [planning officers’] report said,’ and subsequently expressed concerns that Natural England had too much power in the debate after officers recommended refusal.
* I know it's not the correct word but it was the best I could do
Liberals' Airport Anger Greatens* (L.A.A.G.)
The Liberal Democrat group, in an article titled ‘Vote Blue, Go Green, Feel Sick,’ have lambasted the decision to approve expansion of Lydd Airport.
Wondering how much money has been wasted the piece, authored by Lynne Beaumont, slams local and national Conservatives.
‘For many years now, the [Shepway] Conservatives have hidden behind the view that there should be a public enquiry, and this is what they have said to people. They gave their sympathy to people who are going to be affected.
‘People didn't want their sympathy, they wanted their councillors’ support’
‘David Cameron, only 4 days ago said;
"It was you (conservative activists and councillors), who campaigned at local election after local election, under the slogan Vote blue, go green, that have demonstrated our councils are the greenest and the best in Britain, and that we are the new environmental party in Britain, and you should be proud of that.."
‘The Conservatives who voted for Airport expansion last night in Shepway obviously didn't listen to their leader. They have proved once again that they don't care about our environment, and they do what they want to do in Shepway.’
*not great but the best I could do
Wondering how much money has been wasted the piece, authored by Lynne Beaumont, slams local and national Conservatives.
‘For many years now, the [Shepway] Conservatives have hidden behind the view that there should be a public enquiry, and this is what they have said to people. They gave their sympathy to people who are going to be affected.
‘People didn't want their sympathy, they wanted their councillors’ support’
‘David Cameron, only 4 days ago said;
"It was you (conservative activists and councillors), who campaigned at local election after local election, under the slogan Vote blue, go green, that have demonstrated our councils are the greenest and the best in Britain, and that we are the new environmental party in Britain, and you should be proud of that.."
‘The Conservatives who voted for Airport expansion last night in Shepway obviously didn't listen to their leader. They have proved once again that they don't care about our environment, and they do what they want to do in Shepway.’
*not great but the best I could do
Lydd Airport Appeal Guaranteed (L.A.A.G.)
Lydd Airport Action Group (L.A.A.G.) are expecting a long legal battle to overturn the planning applications for the expansion of Lydd Airport which were approved last night (March 3).
In a press release seen by FUTS and believed to be distributed to all councillors and probably other outlets, L.A.A.G. state ‘Our legal advisor Matthew Horton QC has confirmed that the decision is contrary to European Law as the councillors have not correctly interpreted the Habitats Regulations.
‘We have requested the Government Office of the South East to call in this planning application for a public inquiry as it fulfills four of the five criteria used to assess whether a public inquiry is applicable. We are confident that the decision will be overturned in a public inquiry on the correct interpretation of the European Habitats Regulations.’
L.A.A.G. also claim the nuclear safety issue was ‘dismissed by Shepway and say they can show the methodology used to assess crash damage risk was flawed.
Before the meeting last night groups for and against the expansion had vowed to take the case appeal. In the local press L.A.A.G. figurehead Louise Barton had spoken of her expectation that the case would go to appeal whatever the outcome.
In a press release seen by FUTS and believed to be distributed to all councillors and probably other outlets, L.A.A.G. state ‘Our legal advisor Matthew Horton QC has confirmed that the decision is contrary to European Law as the councillors have not correctly interpreted the Habitats Regulations.
‘We have requested the Government Office of the South East to call in this planning application for a public inquiry as it fulfills four of the five criteria used to assess whether a public inquiry is applicable. We are confident that the decision will be overturned in a public inquiry on the correct interpretation of the European Habitats Regulations.’
L.A.A.G. also claim the nuclear safety issue was ‘dismissed by Shepway and say they can show the methodology used to assess crash damage risk was flawed.
Before the meeting last night groups for and against the expansion had vowed to take the case appeal. In the local press L.A.A.G. figurehead Louise Barton had spoken of her expectation that the case would go to appeal whatever the outcome.
Wednesday, 3 March 2010
Lydd Airport Expansion - Cleared For Takeoff!
Shepway Council has approved applications for the expansion of Lydd Airport, under the banner of London Ashford Airport.
At 1:40am, after a mammoth six and a half hours of meeting, including three adjournements, the council voted to approve the recommendation having combined aspects of reports produced by the council’s consultants and the Lydd Ashford Airport group’s consultants.
Conservative Cllr Malcom Dearden then proposed accepting the revised application, which also involved him listing almost all planning policies in existence and gaining a round of applause for doing so. A last ditch attempt by the Lib Dems to stop the vote on account of unfamiliarity with the policies was quashed, and the motion passed.
This overturns the recommendation of the council’s officers, which was for refusal.
Over 15 speakers, including representatives of environmental groups, ward councillors and current MP Michael Howard spoke for and against the applications.
The majority of speakers were from environmental groups and spoke against the applications. Mr Matthew Horton QC, speaking for Lydd Action Airport Group (LAAG) the most vocal group against the application, called the proposals ‘damaging, dangerous and dispiriting.’
Concerns over the nuclear power station were occasionally raised. Mr Paul Black of Greatstone School Governors raised concerns over the effect on pupils’ education, as the school is only 600m from the site.
Speakers in favour of the application repeatedly highlighted the need for expansion to generate jobs. In a gutsy speech Caroline Chambers, formerly of the Channel Chamber of Commerce but speaking as a resident, asked ‘since when did newts become more important than people?’
A series of local ward councillors spoke of the importance of jobs and claimed that the ‘silent majority’ were in favour of expansion. Michael Howard MP spoke to assure councillors that they could vote against the planning officers’ recommendation without fear of legal challenge.
Not until 10:15 did the applications become open for debate by members of the council.
Conservative councillors generally supported the applications citing the need for jobs. Early on in the debate Conservative Cllr Malcom Dearden gave a long list of statistics highlighting the dire economic performance of Shepway and the Marsh in particular, before proposing that the council accept the applications subject to conditions.
As previously expected the Liberal Democrat group were strongly against the development. Shepway Liberal Democrat Leader Cllr Lynne Beaumont repeatedly stated that some of the evidence presented was misinformation, and that consultants used by Lydd Ashford Airport had been ‘paid to sell their story.’
Cllr Beaumont raised concerns that councillors should be in the chamber with pre-prepared notes and speeches in favour of the application. Council Officer Jeremy Chambers clarified that this was acceptable as pre-prepared briefings did not mean councillors could not change their mind during the debate.
Cllr Beaumont also questioned if any of the jobs in the plans were full time or not and whether the airport would lead to a net loss of jobs on the Marsh due to the negative effects of airport expansion.
Lib Dem Councillors repeatedly expressed concerns that to accept the applications would go against legal guidance. Lib Dem Tim Prater concentrated on this, saying the decision was not about weighing up pros and cons, but about a test on the issue of reasonable doubt, a point which appeared to have little impact on the debate.
Later in the debate the Council’s legal adviser cautioned that if councillors were not satisfied beyond reasonable scientific doubt that environmental regulations were not going to be broken they would have to reject the applications.
These points were repeatedly clarified to members, showing a great deal of concern in the chamber over the legal constraints and risk of appeals.
Conservative Cllr Gane asked how up to 500,000 passengers would get to the airport given the poor infrastructure in the area and the lack of a direct rail link.
Most questions followed similar themes with some colourful interjections. Most Conservative Councillors spoke of the need for jobs in the area and it was repeatedly claimed that the ‘silent majority’ were in fact in favour of the application.
Conservative Cllr Ewart-Jones noted often objectors make the largest noise, and many letters objecting to the development are ‘round-robin’ letters (wasn’t this mentioned somewhere before?) and added that councillors, like King Canute, ‘cannot stop the tide of progress.’
Conservative Cllr Carole Waters said she felt ‘very aggrieved’ and ‘worried’ that Natural England were designating large areas as ‘special interest’ and holding up development on the Marsh, although she expressed concern for Greatstone school.
Cllr Beaumont later said the council had voted for the expansion of protected zones, after consultation with Natural England.
Conservative Cllr Love, emphasised the need to have a more holistic view of what is good for the district as a whole. Conservative Russell Tillson said he needed assurances on the net number of jobs, the quality of jobs and that jobs would go to local people and expressed concerns that development scare tourists away from the Marsh.
Comparing the relationship between nature and airports to the relationship between John Terry and Wayne Bridge, Cllr Tillson appeared to be the most cautious Conservative speaker on the night, and was in the minority that voted against the application.
Although the applications have been approved, the decision is likely to be looked at by the Government and could be the subject of lengthy appeals processes.
At 1:40am, after a mammoth six and a half hours of meeting, including three adjournements, the council voted to approve the recommendation having combined aspects of reports produced by the council’s consultants and the Lydd Ashford Airport group’s consultants.
Conservative Cllr Malcom Dearden then proposed accepting the revised application, which also involved him listing almost all planning policies in existence and gaining a round of applause for doing so. A last ditch attempt by the Lib Dems to stop the vote on account of unfamiliarity with the policies was quashed, and the motion passed.
This overturns the recommendation of the council’s officers, which was for refusal.
Over 15 speakers, including representatives of environmental groups, ward councillors and current MP Michael Howard spoke for and against the applications.
The majority of speakers were from environmental groups and spoke against the applications. Mr Matthew Horton QC, speaking for Lydd Action Airport Group (LAAG) the most vocal group against the application, called the proposals ‘damaging, dangerous and dispiriting.’
Concerns over the nuclear power station were occasionally raised. Mr Paul Black of Greatstone School Governors raised concerns over the effect on pupils’ education, as the school is only 600m from the site.
Speakers in favour of the application repeatedly highlighted the need for expansion to generate jobs. In a gutsy speech Caroline Chambers, formerly of the Channel Chamber of Commerce but speaking as a resident, asked ‘since when did newts become more important than people?’
A series of local ward councillors spoke of the importance of jobs and claimed that the ‘silent majority’ were in favour of expansion. Michael Howard MP spoke to assure councillors that they could vote against the planning officers’ recommendation without fear of legal challenge.
Not until 10:15 did the applications become open for debate by members of the council.
Conservative councillors generally supported the applications citing the need for jobs. Early on in the debate Conservative Cllr Malcom Dearden gave a long list of statistics highlighting the dire economic performance of Shepway and the Marsh in particular, before proposing that the council accept the applications subject to conditions.
As previously expected the Liberal Democrat group were strongly against the development. Shepway Liberal Democrat Leader Cllr Lynne Beaumont repeatedly stated that some of the evidence presented was misinformation, and that consultants used by Lydd Ashford Airport had been ‘paid to sell their story.’
Cllr Beaumont raised concerns that councillors should be in the chamber with pre-prepared notes and speeches in favour of the application. Council Officer Jeremy Chambers clarified that this was acceptable as pre-prepared briefings did not mean councillors could not change their mind during the debate.
Cllr Beaumont also questioned if any of the jobs in the plans were full time or not and whether the airport would lead to a net loss of jobs on the Marsh due to the negative effects of airport expansion.
Lib Dem Councillors repeatedly expressed concerns that to accept the applications would go against legal guidance. Lib Dem Tim Prater concentrated on this, saying the decision was not about weighing up pros and cons, but about a test on the issue of reasonable doubt, a point which appeared to have little impact on the debate.
Later in the debate the Council’s legal adviser cautioned that if councillors were not satisfied beyond reasonable scientific doubt that environmental regulations were not going to be broken they would have to reject the applications.
These points were repeatedly clarified to members, showing a great deal of concern in the chamber over the legal constraints and risk of appeals.
Conservative Cllr Gane asked how up to 500,000 passengers would get to the airport given the poor infrastructure in the area and the lack of a direct rail link.
Most questions followed similar themes with some colourful interjections. Most Conservative Councillors spoke of the need for jobs in the area and it was repeatedly claimed that the ‘silent majority’ were in fact in favour of the application.
Conservative Cllr Ewart-Jones noted often objectors make the largest noise, and many letters objecting to the development are ‘round-robin’ letters (wasn’t this mentioned somewhere before?) and added that councillors, like King Canute, ‘cannot stop the tide of progress.’
Conservative Cllr Carole Waters said she felt ‘very aggrieved’ and ‘worried’ that Natural England were designating large areas as ‘special interest’ and holding up development on the Marsh, although she expressed concern for Greatstone school.
Cllr Beaumont later said the council had voted for the expansion of protected zones, after consultation with Natural England.
Conservative Cllr Love, emphasised the need to have a more holistic view of what is good for the district as a whole. Conservative Russell Tillson said he needed assurances on the net number of jobs, the quality of jobs and that jobs would go to local people and expressed concerns that development scare tourists away from the Marsh.
Comparing the relationship between nature and airports to the relationship between John Terry and Wayne Bridge, Cllr Tillson appeared to be the most cautious Conservative speaker on the night, and was in the minority that voted against the application.
Although the applications have been approved, the decision is likely to be looked at by the Government and could be the subject of lengthy appeals processes.
D-Day for LAA
After years of debate and delays, tonight’s the night for Shepway Council to approve or reject the applications for Lydd Ashford Airport.
Planning officers recommend refusal though there are plenty of precedents from the Development Control Committee to show councillors will not slavishly follow their officers’ recommendations.
What can we expect?
The Lib Dems will surely vote to reject the applications. With ‘green’ and ‘eco-tourism’ being current Lib Dem buzzwords, and repeated articles on their website AGAINST the application, it seems unlikely that the arguments put forward tonight will change their minds although of course they are prepared to listen to both sides of the argument.
Shepway Lib Dem Leader Lynne Beaumont told FUTS she has taken legal advice to ensure that the group’s votes will not be challenged. Fellow Lib Dem Peter Carroll will not be able to vote, having previously stated the expansion would go ahead ‘over my dead body.’
Labour Candidate Donald Worsley is strongly in favour of the expansion, as a hub for jobs and apprenticeships, yet with no councillors Labour’s influence on the decision at this stage is non-existent.
The key lies with Shepway Conservative’s overwhelming majority on the council.
Statements and clues as to how they will vote are somewhat sparse. Were there any Labour councillors, headway could have been made here. Conservative councillors have been notably tight-lipped on this issue. The news section of the conservative website has little mention of Lydd save for noting that Michael Howard MP, who will speak at the meeting, is in support of limited expansion.
Conservative Candidate Damian Collins has previously stated he would support limited expansion depending on officers’ recommendations, yet after officers’ recommendation of refusal he now wants to look at the power of the Natural England veto. Some observers see Mr Collins perching on the fence as delicately as any protected species on the Marsh. Surely the key point here is that Mr Collins is not willing to reject the airport.
The Conservatives have presented a united front over Dungeness, campaigning hard for it to ensure jobs are on the Marsh. Although numbers are contentious, there is no doubt some jobs would come from the airport – should it be a success.
Whether the airport is a success or the jobs materialise is another matter and will surely be the crux of the Conservative debate against the Liberal Democrat stand. The debate will no doubt be fierce at times, but will those outside the chamber ever know what happened? The meeting is being relayed over the web, though there are concerns that the link will crash. Good for poor taste puns but not so good for following how our elected representatives are controlling our area.
Tonight the Conservative councillors will have to pin their colours to the mast. Given their stand on Dungeness and their Westminster men’s views, if I were a betting man I would take a long-odds punt on the application being approved.
Such a highly contentious issue on such a large development has polarised opinions. An extremely vocal pressure group, Lydd Airport Action Group, (L.A.A.G.) is against the application and garners more publicity than the groups supporting the application – most notable Friends of Lydd Airport (F.L.A.G.). Does it represent the feelings of Marsh residents? This is difficult to answer as any poll is denounced as biased, unfair or representative of a small sample of residents.
The only point of agreement in the debate is that any decision will be subject to an appeal. Peter Carroll may have to wait some months before he lies down before the bulldozers.
Planning officers recommend refusal though there are plenty of precedents from the Development Control Committee to show councillors will not slavishly follow their officers’ recommendations.
What can we expect?
The Lib Dems will surely vote to reject the applications. With ‘green’ and ‘eco-tourism’ being current Lib Dem buzzwords, and repeated articles on their website AGAINST the application, it seems unlikely that the arguments put forward tonight will change their minds although of course they are prepared to listen to both sides of the argument.
Shepway Lib Dem Leader Lynne Beaumont told FUTS she has taken legal advice to ensure that the group’s votes will not be challenged. Fellow Lib Dem Peter Carroll will not be able to vote, having previously stated the expansion would go ahead ‘over my dead body.’
Labour Candidate Donald Worsley is strongly in favour of the expansion, as a hub for jobs and apprenticeships, yet with no councillors Labour’s influence on the decision at this stage is non-existent.
The key lies with Shepway Conservative’s overwhelming majority on the council.
Statements and clues as to how they will vote are somewhat sparse. Were there any Labour councillors, headway could have been made here. Conservative councillors have been notably tight-lipped on this issue. The news section of the conservative website has little mention of Lydd save for noting that Michael Howard MP, who will speak at the meeting, is in support of limited expansion.
Conservative Candidate Damian Collins has previously stated he would support limited expansion depending on officers’ recommendations, yet after officers’ recommendation of refusal he now wants to look at the power of the Natural England veto. Some observers see Mr Collins perching on the fence as delicately as any protected species on the Marsh. Surely the key point here is that Mr Collins is not willing to reject the airport.
The Conservatives have presented a united front over Dungeness, campaigning hard for it to ensure jobs are on the Marsh. Although numbers are contentious, there is no doubt some jobs would come from the airport – should it be a success.
Whether the airport is a success or the jobs materialise is another matter and will surely be the crux of the Conservative debate against the Liberal Democrat stand. The debate will no doubt be fierce at times, but will those outside the chamber ever know what happened? The meeting is being relayed over the web, though there are concerns that the link will crash. Good for poor taste puns but not so good for following how our elected representatives are controlling our area.
Tonight the Conservative councillors will have to pin their colours to the mast. Given their stand on Dungeness and their Westminster men’s views, if I were a betting man I would take a long-odds punt on the application being approved.
Such a highly contentious issue on such a large development has polarised opinions. An extremely vocal pressure group, Lydd Airport Action Group, (L.A.A.G.) is against the application and garners more publicity than the groups supporting the application – most notable Friends of Lydd Airport (F.L.A.G.). Does it represent the feelings of Marsh residents? This is difficult to answer as any poll is denounced as biased, unfair or representative of a small sample of residents.
The only point of agreement in the debate is that any decision will be subject to an appeal. Peter Carroll may have to wait some months before he lies down before the bulldozers.
Sunday, 28 February 2010
Long-Haul Battle Expected Over Lydd Airport Plans
Liberal Democrat Candidate Lynne Beaumont and Conservative Candidate Damian Collins are at odds over future development on the Marsh.
Wednesday March 3 will see the council meet to determine the fate of two planning applications for the expansion of Lydd Airport. The expansion has been a highly contentious issue, with groups clashing over the need for jobs and infrastructure against the environmental cost of development.
Cllr Beaumont revealed to FUTS she had taken legal advice over the recommendations, and that she will be voting in the meeting on March 3. The Liberal Democrats have maintained a strong opposition to the plans.
In a statement to FUTS, Cllr Beaumont worte; ‘I think the report is clear, that the airport have not put a case forward where they cannot prove the expansion will not cause further damage to the environment.
‘Legally, if the habitats regulations are not met, then you have no choice but to vote against the applications. It will be interesting to see what happens on Wednesday.’
Conservative candidate Mr Collins, while not a member of the council, has been involved in the debate and previously said he ‘would support limited expansion depending on what the report says.’
Asked for his reaction to the report Mr Collins said he expects the case to go to appeal. Appearing to support airport expansion, Mr Collins is concerned that environmental considerations are seen as more pressing than economic development.
In a statement to FUTS, Mr Collins wrote; ‘having read the report I think it looks more and more likely that a final decision on this could only be given after a public enquiry.’
‘I have a concern, both on this and on Dungeness power station that Natural England seems to have the right of veto over development on Romney Marsh, even when the land area is question is less than 1% of the protected area, and their objection overrides any local consideration about jobs and investment.
‘An appeal to the Secretary of State though could allow this to be resolved. Many people in Lydd and Romney March are increasingly worried about jobs, and the report from Shepway's officers will be a further blow for them.’
Pressure groups Lydd Airport Action Group (LAAG – against development) and Friends of Lydd Airport (FLAG – for development) have stated they expect to see the case go to appeal.
With Michael Howard MP not contesting the next election any appeal would ensure it will remain a tricky issue for his successor, widely tipped to be Mr Collins. Mr Howard will speak on the application at the meeting, and has previously written he would support expansion.
People are being urged NOT to go to the civic centre for the meeting as the public gallery is full with limited spaces in other rooms.
The public will be able to watch over the internet via the Shepway Council website, or at Romney Marsh Academy Theatre where a large screen will show the meeting.
Wednesday March 3 will see the council meet to determine the fate of two planning applications for the expansion of Lydd Airport. The expansion has been a highly contentious issue, with groups clashing over the need for jobs and infrastructure against the environmental cost of development.
Cllr Beaumont revealed to FUTS she had taken legal advice over the recommendations, and that she will be voting in the meeting on March 3. The Liberal Democrats have maintained a strong opposition to the plans.
In a statement to FUTS, Cllr Beaumont worte; ‘I think the report is clear, that the airport have not put a case forward where they cannot prove the expansion will not cause further damage to the environment.
‘Legally, if the habitats regulations are not met, then you have no choice but to vote against the applications. It will be interesting to see what happens on Wednesday.’
Conservative candidate Mr Collins, while not a member of the council, has been involved in the debate and previously said he ‘would support limited expansion depending on what the report says.’
Asked for his reaction to the report Mr Collins said he expects the case to go to appeal. Appearing to support airport expansion, Mr Collins is concerned that environmental considerations are seen as more pressing than economic development.
In a statement to FUTS, Mr Collins wrote; ‘having read the report I think it looks more and more likely that a final decision on this could only be given after a public enquiry.’
‘I have a concern, both on this and on Dungeness power station that Natural England seems to have the right of veto over development on Romney Marsh, even when the land area is question is less than 1% of the protected area, and their objection overrides any local consideration about jobs and investment.
‘An appeal to the Secretary of State though could allow this to be resolved. Many people in Lydd and Romney March are increasingly worried about jobs, and the report from Shepway's officers will be a further blow for them.’
Pressure groups Lydd Airport Action Group (LAAG – against development) and Friends of Lydd Airport (FLAG – for development) have stated they expect to see the case go to appeal.
With Michael Howard MP not contesting the next election any appeal would ensure it will remain a tricky issue for his successor, widely tipped to be Mr Collins. Mr Howard will speak on the application at the meeting, and has previously written he would support expansion.
People are being urged NOT to go to the civic centre for the meeting as the public gallery is full with limited spaces in other rooms.
The public will be able to watch over the internet via the Shepway Council website, or at Romney Marsh Academy Theatre where a large screen will show the meeting.
Monday, 22 February 2010
F.L.A.G. Still Flying For Lydd Airport Expansion
Friends of Lydd Airport Group (F.L.A.G.) remain confident planning applications to expand the airport will be approved despite district planners recommending refusal.
In a supplementary report posted on Shepway District Council’s website on Friday 19, planners cited environmental concerns and worries over side effects such as noise as reasons to refuse the planning applications.
Tim Crompton, of F.L.A.G., the most high profile group supporting the expansion, told FUTS the planners ‘recommended refusal on fairly weak grounds. All of these points had been looked into at the last public enquiry and discounted as being outweighed by the benefits that redevelopment would give.’
When asked why 80% of letters received by the council on this application were against the proposals, Mr Crompton conceded this was probably true, but added ‘They [objectors] had a campaign to send as many as they could. All objectors they tend to more active than those in favour.
‘In my opinion, and I do meet a great deal of local people, this would be the opposite of the true feeling in Lydd where I would say that about 75% to 80% of people are in favour of the airport redeveloping.’
Lydd Airport Action Group, in opposition to the plans, has templates and contact details on their website for this. However, the objectors may have scored an own goal with the supplementary report noting at least several hundred letters were duplicates. One source told FUTS that multiple repeats of the same letter might lessen their importance during consideration.
Writing about the environmental impact, Mr Crompton put economic concerns over environmental. ‘I do not agree that the environment is more important than people. The Marsh was drained for people to live and work on not for plants, lichen, and birds.
‘I believe that the officer’s report is also flawed in that the birds live happily with the airport at the moment with 21,000 movements last year. An extra 7 or 8 a day will not have a dramatic difference.
‘If councillors weigh up all the evidence put forward by the airport in mitigation of the environmental impact, and that is a tremendous amount, and think carefully about the economic and job prospects for the Marsh and the whole of Shepway I am hopeful that a good democratic discussion in favour will follow.’
The decision to approve or reject planning applications to allow Lydd Airport to expand, taking up to 500,000 passengers per year, will take place at the Development Control Committee meeting on March 3. The meeting is expected to generate such interest members of the public are being advised not to attend. As well as being webcast, a screen in the Romney Marsh Academy Theatre will televise the meeting.
The plans have provoked strong reactions, with different groups in support emphasising the economic benefits, and groups against highlighting environmental concerns. It is no surprise that as the meeting date draws close after several years of debate and delays, the Folkestone Herald has two large full-page adverts campaigning against the applications this week.
F.L.A.G. - http://www.f-l-a-g.co.uk/
L.A.A.G. - http://www.kentnet.org.uk/laag/index.htm
Shepway supplementary report - http://www.shepway.gov.uk/content/view/200913/1922/
In a supplementary report posted on Shepway District Council’s website on Friday 19, planners cited environmental concerns and worries over side effects such as noise as reasons to refuse the planning applications.
Tim Crompton, of F.L.A.G., the most high profile group supporting the expansion, told FUTS the planners ‘recommended refusal on fairly weak grounds. All of these points had been looked into at the last public enquiry and discounted as being outweighed by the benefits that redevelopment would give.’
When asked why 80% of letters received by the council on this application were against the proposals, Mr Crompton conceded this was probably true, but added ‘They [objectors] had a campaign to send as many as they could. All objectors they tend to more active than those in favour.
‘In my opinion, and I do meet a great deal of local people, this would be the opposite of the true feeling in Lydd where I would say that about 75% to 80% of people are in favour of the airport redeveloping.’
Lydd Airport Action Group, in opposition to the plans, has templates and contact details on their website for this. However, the objectors may have scored an own goal with the supplementary report noting at least several hundred letters were duplicates. One source told FUTS that multiple repeats of the same letter might lessen their importance during consideration.
Writing about the environmental impact, Mr Crompton put economic concerns over environmental. ‘I do not agree that the environment is more important than people. The Marsh was drained for people to live and work on not for plants, lichen, and birds.
‘I believe that the officer’s report is also flawed in that the birds live happily with the airport at the moment with 21,000 movements last year. An extra 7 or 8 a day will not have a dramatic difference.
‘If councillors weigh up all the evidence put forward by the airport in mitigation of the environmental impact, and that is a tremendous amount, and think carefully about the economic and job prospects for the Marsh and the whole of Shepway I am hopeful that a good democratic discussion in favour will follow.’
The decision to approve or reject planning applications to allow Lydd Airport to expand, taking up to 500,000 passengers per year, will take place at the Development Control Committee meeting on March 3. The meeting is expected to generate such interest members of the public are being advised not to attend. As well as being webcast, a screen in the Romney Marsh Academy Theatre will televise the meeting.
The plans have provoked strong reactions, with different groups in support emphasising the economic benefits, and groups against highlighting environmental concerns. It is no surprise that as the meeting date draws close after several years of debate and delays, the Folkestone Herald has two large full-page adverts campaigning against the applications this week.
F.L.A.G. - http://www.f-l-a-g.co.uk/
L.A.A.G. - http://www.kentnet.org.uk/laag/index.htm
Shepway supplementary report - http://www.shepway.gov.uk/content/view/200913/1922/
Friday, 19 February 2010
Lydd Airport Expansion Grounded?
Shepway planners have recommended refusal of planning applications concerning the expansion of Lydd Airport in a supplementary report released today.
The report released today, Friday 19, reveals that planners have received over three thousand representations, 80% of which are against the expansion plans.
Planners recommend refusal mainly on environmental grounds, but also state that while some of the adverse effects on residents of the expansion ‘can be partially mitigated, not all of them can’.
These objections are judged to outweigh economic benefits, with the report noting ‘whilst the expansion and associated investment in the local economy is a welcome prospect, the adverse effects on the SPA, SAC, SSSI, pSPA, pRAMSAR [all environmental designations], local community and other features mean that the planning applications should be refused’.
After years of speculation and strong views on the matter, the Development Control Committee will hear the applications on March 3. At the council meeting last night (Thursday 18) the council agreed to allow MP Michael Howard to address the meeting.
All seats in the public gallery have been reserved. While the meeting will be relayed to other rooms in the Civic Centre and to a special screen in the Romney Marsh Academy theatre, members of the public are being urged to stay at home and tune in to a webcast of the meeting.
The report released today, Friday 19, reveals that planners have received over three thousand representations, 80% of which are against the expansion plans.
Planners recommend refusal mainly on environmental grounds, but also state that while some of the adverse effects on residents of the expansion ‘can be partially mitigated, not all of them can’.
These objections are judged to outweigh economic benefits, with the report noting ‘whilst the expansion and associated investment in the local economy is a welcome prospect, the adverse effects on the SPA, SAC, SSSI, pSPA, pRAMSAR [all environmental designations], local community and other features mean that the planning applications should be refused’.
After years of speculation and strong views on the matter, the Development Control Committee will hear the applications on March 3. At the council meeting last night (Thursday 18) the council agreed to allow MP Michael Howard to address the meeting.
All seats in the public gallery have been reserved. While the meeting will be relayed to other rooms in the Civic Centre and to a special screen in the Romney Marsh Academy theatre, members of the public are being urged to stay at home and tune in to a webcast of the meeting.
Monday, 9 November 2009
No New Power Station For Dungeness
The future of nuclear power generation continuing from Dungeness looks bleak after Ed Milliband cited environmental concerns for not building a new power station on the site.
Conservative Prospective Parliamentary Candidate Damian Collins supports the continuation of power generation at the site. In a statement on his website, Mr Collins questions the reasoning behind the decision and states 'We need to understand more about this decision and what hope there is for the future of Dungeness.' (http://www.damiancollins.com/record.jsp?type=news&ID=370)
The Liberal Democrats have noted the story, but have yet to provide opnions. However, previous announcements make clear that 'the Liberal Democrats are opposed to building new nuclear power stations in future' (http://shepwaylibdems.org.uk/news/000537/no_new_year_for_dungeness_a_41_and_out.html).
Conservative Prospective Parliamentary Candidate Damian Collins supports the continuation of power generation at the site. In a statement on his website, Mr Collins questions the reasoning behind the decision and states 'We need to understand more about this decision and what hope there is for the future of Dungeness.' (http://www.damiancollins.com/record.jsp?type=news&ID=370)
The Liberal Democrats have noted the story, but have yet to provide opnions. However, previous announcements make clear that 'the Liberal Democrats are opposed to building new nuclear power stations in future' (http://shepwaylibdems.org.uk/news/000537/no_new_year_for_dungeness_a_41_and_out.html).
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