Local pushes for court action over runway
Friday July 30 2010 - Last Updated at 17:14
A campaigner – fighting against the planned runway extension at Southend Airport – is trying to take the council to court over the scheme.
The individual – who hasn’t been named – is a member of Stop Airport Extension Now (SAEN) and a local resident, who is highly concerned at the decision by Southend Borough Council to grant planning permission for the extended runway. The individual has applied to launch a judicial review at the High Court in London.
Back in March, the government department who initially called the plans in for closer scrutiny, decided to give the go-ahead. That effectively meant the airport – now owned by Eddie Stobart – could press ahead with plans. A longer runway (by 300m) means more flights in and out of the airport, based on Aviation Way.
SAEN says there is particular concern over the potential impact of night flights and that new mitigation measures are “insufficient to avoid widespread distress“.
SAEN added:
“The economic argument for additional jobs has never been substantiated and is uncertain at best. What is certain, however, is that there will be extra noise and pollution for an area already one of the most congested and densely populated in the United Kingdom.”
“We had no choice but to go to court,” said SAEN director, Graham Whitehead.
“Both Southend and Rochford councils have shown total disregard for the interests of their residents and this should never been approved by the Development Control Committee. The Council took the decision against the will of the vast majority of the people who responded to the consultation. We believe that the planning permission process was legally flawed and we are confident that the Court will find in our favour.”
Southend Council have yet to respond to the move.
Just as Southend is crying out for a major jobs boost is’nt it nice to see people destroying a major job creation scheme paid for in whole by the private sector.
These people need to take a look at the REAL facts that the airport IS one of the major employment centres in Southend and the scheme put forward will increase the number of jobs on site.
The restrictions that airport will bring in will see the current permitted 900 night flights a month slashed to 120 a month. There will be restriction on the types of aircraft permitted to use the airport stopping the older noiser dirty jets in favour for quite cleaner aircraft.
The vast majority of people moved in to Southend after the airport opened, one question the anti airport lobby never answer:
Do you fly off on holiday ever or fly for work related reasons? if so why is it fine for you to fly over somebodys house but not for somebody to fly over yours.
I agree with Southendnick tghese people are mad we need to get this job boost and all you hear to the development of a town for the better is moaning , get over yourselfs you inconsiderate people ….
Eddie Stobart is funding this project himself his planes will be no noise at all so just get on with your life and let us get this country back on track with this boost in employment for the better of out ecomony recovery…..
saen – should change there name to the saoms – ( southend airport old moaners soecity!!!!
SAEN are hoping to use Tax payers money, against the council that will have to use tax payers money to defend themselves over a decision that was ratified by the then Secretary of State for communities.
The vast majority of people they talk about are the majority of the very very small percentage of people that commented on the JAAP ‘consultation’.
SAEN are so confident that they have made their group a Ltd company. An easy way to escape any financial liability when they fail I suspect.