Poster from Lydd Airport Action Group.

Lydd Airport: the plane truth

At a time when worldwide CO2 emissions have risen to a crisis level of 400 parts per million and scientists are warning of disastrous consequences for humanity and all of earth’s residents, plans to expand and develop Lydd Airport continue, writes HOT’s Zelly Restorick. However, not without substantial, determined and powerful opposition. 

Lydd Airport is located on Dungeness Peninsula, less than three miles from Dungeness nuclear power station, between two army ranges at Lydd and Hythe, near to a major Royal Society for the Protection of Birds [RSPB] bird reserve and surrounded by natural habitats protected by European and national legislation.

Despite being one of the UK’s most protected areas and amidst local and national concerns about safety, potential nuclear disaster, growth of air travel at a time of worldwide climate change, associated greenhouse gas emissions, destruction of natural habitat and effects on species, people and the environment, the plan was given the go ahead.

“This is despite the development infringing at least two European Directives: the Habitat Directive and the the Nuclear Safety Directive”, states Lydd Airport Action Group [LAAG]. Lydd Airport is located less than 60 seconds’ flight time from Dungeness nuclear power complex.

The plan was opposed by Natural England, The Campaign to Protect Rural England and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds [RSPB].

Aeroplane landing

It was back in March 2010 when Conservative-dominated Shepway District Council granted planning permission for the expansion, overriding the recommendations of their own officers. However, LAAG and the RSPB have not submitted to their decision, doggedly persevering with their campaign for the airport to remain as it is – a base for light aircraft as opposed to huge commercial planes, such as Boeing 737s and Airbus 320s.

I asked Louise Barton, central representative of LAAG about the current situation.

“The position is that we [LAAG and RSPB] have both lodged independent appeals with the High Court of Justice,” she said. “In addition, the European Commission is already investigating the UK government under the EU Pilot Mechanism over a possible infringement of the Nuclear Safety Directive. This investigation is on-going.

Image of take-off flight paths: LAAG website

Flight path maps indicate that major noise and pollution increases can be expected all around the area, including near to us here in Hastings and St Leonards.

Lydd Airport is currently owned by Sheik Fahad Al Athel, a Saudi Arabian businessman who purchased the airport in 2001. His plan is to extend the runway and build a new terminal to accommodate up to 500,000 low-cost flight passengers a year. This figure is disputed by Lydd Airport Action Group, who state that the long-term ambition for a regional international airport with two million passengers a year has been widely broadcast.

Want to get involved and take action? Take a look at suggestions and ideas here.

More detailed information on the expansion here.

Interesting 2011 report in The Independent here.

Also in: Campaigns