Lib Dems Welcomes Lydd Airport Meeting Postponement And Renew Calls for Public Enquiry

The Shepway Council meeting to decide on plans to expand London Ashford Airport, Lydd, has been postponed. The move has been welcomed by Shepway Liberal Democrat Group Leader Lynne Beaumont, who has been calling for the application to be called in to a full public enquiry.

The decision to postpone the meeting, planned for Wednesday 30 January, was taken by Shepway District Council's Chief Executive, Alistair Stewart.

"This is one of the biggest planning applications this council has ever had to determine and it is one that has wide-ranging implications. It is vital that our councillors have all the information they need when making their decision," said Mr Stewart.

"A lot of complex and technical details have to be considered in applications of this scale. Having taken counsel's advice I believe we need additional information to ensure that we are in a position to give councillors everything they need to make an informed decision, which is why I have decided to reschedule the meeting.

"We will be talking to the applicants about the additional information we need, mainly concerning ecological and noise issues, and will set a date for the re-scheduled meeting as soon as possible.

"I am sure everyone can appreciate the reasons for this decision.

"I must stress that this is still a live application and our intention for two residents to speak at the meeting, one in support of the plans and one against, which we advertised in the local media, still stands."

Lynne Beaumont commented:

"After the fiasco in which the Council had effectively voted to exclude the public from this crucial meeting, I'm delighted that Shepway Council have acknowledged that they do not yet have sufficient ecological and noise information, and have postponed this meeting for between two and six months while more information is gathered.

"Its quite obvious that the impact on the local environment and local residents who live directly under the flight approach path will be enormous.

"Shepway Council is not in a position to properly consider this application. The potential impact on the airports neighbours, the local environment, the RSPB reserve, and indeed the possible future development of Dungeness C are all huge. This decision should be made in the open, at a full public enquiry when all information can be considered."