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Shepway council blasted over airport vote
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The airport's planned new terminal
KENT NEWS:

Shepway councillors have been widely condemned after going against expert advice and voting to approve Lydd airport’s controversial expansion plans.

Last Wednesday’s seven-hour meeting ended in a 27-12 vote in favour of a runway extension and new passenger terminal, probably meaning the decision will be called in for a public inquiry.

Airport bosses hailed the outcome as “a victory for the people of Shepway”, but campaigners against the development say they will fight on and criticised councillors for ignoring officers’ recommendations.

Liberal Democrat group leader Lynne Beaumont, who led the fight against the plans during the meeting, said: “Shepway employed experts to give councillors information before they made a decision on the future of Romney Marsh in respect of the expansion of the airport.

“This was argued with, ignored, chopped to pieces and voted against.

“We need jobs, and green tourism is the way forward for Romney Marsh, which will provide jobs and money for the local economy without destroying the most beautiful and scientifically important part of our area.”

RSPB regional director Chris Corrigan, who addressed the meeting, said: “It is difficult to understand how the councillors reached this decision.

“The council’s own officers and their independent expert ecological advisers have pointed out the problems and recommended rejection.”

He said, given the wide range of popular and technical opposition, the facts should be open to examination at a public inquiry.

Protect Kent’s deputy director Sean Furey said: “The decision by Shepway council shows little consideration has been made for the tranquility of this unique area or opposition from local residents.

“Expanding Lydd airport is the most unsustainable decision that could have been made, yet sadly it now has. The environmental impact is going to be devastating.”

Louise Barton, of Lydd Airport Action Group (LAAG), said: “We are confident that the decision will be overturned in a public inquiry on
the correct interpretation of the European Habitats Regulations.

“Other important factors include nuclear safety, an issue that was dismissed by Shepway council.

“LAAG believes the risk of crash damage is too high and can demonstrate that the methodology used to assess crash-damage risk cannot account for the high specific risk at Lydd airport.”

Following the meeting, Lydd managing director Jonathan Gordon said the approval for the £25 million investment plan was “a victory for the people of Shepway.”

He said: “We put forward a compelling case for allowing the controlled development of the airport.

“Councillors made the right choice for the future of our community.”

Shepway MP Michael Howard was among those who addressed the meeting to argue in favour of the development, saying it would provide much-needed jobs.

He was joined by Channel Chamber manager Peter Hobbs, ward members Victoria Dawson, Clive Goddard and Carole Waters, as well as Marsh county councillor William Richardson.

Those against included New Romney Coast councillor Val Loseby, representatives from Greatstone School, Keep The Marsh Special Alliance, Kent Downs AONB, Kent Wildlife Trust, the RSPB and Shepway Environment and Community Network.

More than 2,000 people logged on to Shepway council’s website to watch the live broadcast of the meeting, which was also shown publicly at the Marsh Academy.
POSTED: 10/03/2010 16:55:06

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