South East Forum For Sustainability

DEADLINE FOR ACTION 24th MARCH

Earlier this  month, against officer recommendation, councillors in Shepway decided to approve the expansion of Lydd Airport.

SEFS members have long campaigned against these proposals which were orgininally put forward in 2006. Apart from the concerns related to the impact of expanding aviation not just here but across the whole of the region there is concer that an increased number of flights will add to the already wide- ranging damaging effects on the local, as well as the global environment.

Added to this the area is a unquie wildlife treasure and international designated site.

Councillors weren’t just advised by officers to reject the proposal the decision also flies in the face of recommendations from Natural England as well as legal and policy requirements.

There is still time to take action and ask for the proposal to be considered at public inquiry. You can write or email Jennie Gilks at Government Office for the South East with the request including the point outlined below.
email – Please ask for the Lydd Aiport proposals agreed by Shepway District Council on 3rd March to be called in for a Public Inquiry as the decision:

Email: Jennie.gilks,
address: Sustainable Communities Directorate
Planning Casework Manager (Surrey and Kent)
Government Office for the South East
Bridge House, 1 Walnut Tree Close
Guildford, GU1 4GA

• Conflicts with UK and EU law – When councillors decided to approve the airport expansion plans, they did not fulfil their legal requirement to properly consult Natural England.
• Is a regional, national and international controversy – An expanded airport at Lydd risks adversely affecting internationally protected wildlife sites.  Therefore, approving the plans to expand Lydd Airport would clearly be controversial regionally, nationally and in a European context.
• Has wider impacts – By its nature, the airport’s expansion is bound to have impacts outside the immediate locality.  These will include the likely damage to both the SPA and SAC, increases in road traffic and noise, and the impact that the increased emission of greenhouse gases will have on climate change.

More information about Lydd can be found on the RSPB website and about SEFS position on aviation expansion in our special airport expansion position paper