Lydd Airport: Legal challenge to expansion plans

A legal challenge to the government's decision to allow the expansion of Lydd Airport in Kent is to be heard at the High Court later this month.

The £25m project includes a runway extension of almost 300m (328yds) and a new terminal building.

Campaigners are opposed to the expansion as the site is close to the Dungeness nuclear plant, an RSPB nature reserve and a military range.

The RSPB and Lydd Airport Action Group (LAAG) have lodged separate appeals.

LAAG's bid to quash the decision will be heard at the High Court on 23 and 24 January.

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Lydd Airport extension decision prompts legal challenge from RSPB

High stakes

May 2013. The RSPB has issued a legal challenge to the Government's decision to allow the expansion of Lydd Airport in Kent. The proposals - which will damage the nearby protected wildlife area of Dungeness - was given the go ahead in April by Eric Pickles, the communities and local government secretary, and Patrick McLoughlin, the transport secretary.

‘Dungeness is one of the most important wildlife sites in the world'

Chris Corrigan, RSPB South East Regional Director, said: "Dungeness is one of the most important wildlife sites in the world; it is protected at global, European and UK levels. It is home to species found hardly anywhere else in the UK. It is also a crossroads for migrating birds stopping off on their epic global journeys.

"The RSPB has been protecting birds and the wildlife of Dungeness for over a century - our commitment to the area is deep and profound. Over recent years, our concerns about the impact of expanding nearby Lydd Airport led to the need to argue our case at a Public Inquiry. The inspector found in favour of the Airport's proposals - and his report was completely endorsed in the Secretaries of State for Communities and Local Government and for Transport's Decision. We are profoundly concerned about this decision as it seems perverse.

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Airport given signal to take off

Published on 11/04/2013 08:45

LYDD Airport’s expansion plans have been approved by the Government amid a storm of controversy.

The long-awaited enquiry decision finally came late on Wednesday afternoon and was immediately greeted with a strong reaction.

Objectors, including the RSPB, the Council for the Protection of Rural England and Lydd Airport Action Group repeated concerns over nuclear safety and the impact on the Romney Marsh environment.

But airport executive manager Hani Mutlaq said the decision was “a victory for common sense and for local people” which would create jobs and boost tourism.”

The £25 million plans include the construction of a 294 metre runway extension and a new terminal building capable of handling up to 500,000 passengers a year. Owners say they have already spent £35 million in the last decade in modernising the airport, which dates back to 1958.

But Lydd Airport Action Group have vowed legal actions will follow. The Group’s Louise Barton said: “This approval is despite the development infringing at least two European Directives: the Habitats Directive and the Nuclear Safety Directive - opening the government to legal challenge.

“Infringement proceedings under the Pilot Mechanism for the Nuclear Safety Directive are already underway.

The RSPB conservation group labelled the decision “shocking”. It’s Conservation Director, Martin Harper said: “This is the wrong decision as it opens the door to real damage to Dungeness, to its wildlife and the quality of life for many of its residents.”

http://www.ryeandbattleobserver.co.uk/news/local-news/airport-given-signal-to-take-off-1-4986409