Airport planning applications update

     



Shepway Council needs more information before it can fully assess the planning applications for a new passenger terminal building and a runway extension at Lydd Airport.

Council planners will be talking to the owners of the airport about the additional information it needs and to seek further clarification on certain details after its own specially-commissioned experts scrutinised the Environmental Impact Assessment that accompanied the applications. Many of the organisations that responded as part of the consultation process have also raised issues that need further clarification, says Terry Ellames, the council's major applications officer.

"Our planning officers will be meeting with the airport over the coming weeks to give the applicants feedback we have had, both from consultants and the statutory bodies, like the Environment Agency and Natural England, and how issues raised can be addressed. This is not unusual for a planning application of this size," said Cllr Hugh Barker, Cabinet Member for Planning.

When the additional information has been submitted, there is likely to be some more consultation, including specialist organisations like Natural England and the Environment Agency.

No date has been set for a decision by full council but this is unlikely to be before the end of this summer.

As well as consulting 25 groups and organisations, the council received around 2,800 comments in response to its public consultation held earlier in the year. Nearly 90 per cent of people who took part in the consultation opposed the plans citing noise, air pollution/climate change, traffic impact and impacts on wildlife and habitat as their main concerns.

Those who supported the application said it would create jobs, benefit the local economy, bring better road links and public transport, reduce travel and traffic impacts to other airports and involved an airport already that already existed.