Government puts Lydd Airport expansion plans put on hold

6.08.00pm GMT Tue 16th Mar 2010

The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government has made the decision to put a hold on Shepway District Council issuing planning permission for the expansion of Lydd Airport.

Natural England is concerned the environmental impact has not been properly considered and has asked for the plans to be "called in". The Government Office for the South East (GOSE) will now consider the plans and decide whether the decision should be referred to the Secretary of State.

Lynne Beaumont said

"I am delighted at this decision. Councillors had to make a decision which was based on beyond reasonable scientific doubt that the airport expansion would not cause damage to the environment.

"Of course there is doubt, and the Conservatives cobbling together two reports to make one that fits an outcome some councillors desired is not only morally wrong, but they were not qualified to do this.

"How much council tax payers money has been wasted in employing consultants and experts, only for Conservative councillors to completely ignore their advice? We will find out this figure, and then people can judge for themselves whether they feel Conservative councillors spent this money wisely only to ignore the advice they paid for."

Related Link:

BBC Kent: "Lydd Airport plans delayed by environmental concerns"