Lydd Airport returns to the news this week as the anti airport campaigners, including the RSPB take their case to the high court to try and overturn the planning application, that was granted to allow the limited expansion of the runway and facilities available to passengers.
I have supported the controlled expansion of the airport, and I believe that its success will bring jobs and investment to Romney Marsh. Without this investment from the airport’s owners it is difficult to see what kind of a future the airport would have. The application to expand the airport was presented seven years ago and approved by Shepway Council in 2010, after considerable debate and some alterations to the plans. Following a further public inquiry, the Planning Inspector and the Secretaries of State for Communities and Local Government, and Transport, approved the application. No legal grounds for turning down the application have been presented, and neither the anti-airport campaigners nor the RSPB have any new points to make in opposition to the development plans, that have not previously been considered. I hope that the high court will reject the applications that have been made for yet a further public inquiry, which will cause unnecessary delay and expense.
On Friday last week I joined the Mayor of Folkestone, Roger West to visit a new business that has recently opened in the Old High Street in the town; the Ebony and Ivory restaurant. It was good to meet the chef Joil Bouganwilles and to sample some of his excellent cooking. I hope that his new venture is a great success. Following that I joined Brigitte Orasinski, the Director of the local arts organisation Strange Cargo, at the George House Gallery in Folkestone. Strange Cargo has been a champion for the creative arts in Kent for nearly twenty years and it was good to hear about their future projects and their work for the Triennial Arts festival which returns to Folkestone at the end of August this year.
Strange Cargo has been commissioned to produce an artwork focused on Folkestone as the ‘Luckiest Place on Earth’ and they are looking for local people go come forward and explain what brings them good luck, and why they think they are lucky themselves. You can take part in this by submitting your ideas through the news section of the Strange Cargo website at www.strangecargo.org.uk
The second Cheriton Light Festival is also being organised by Strange Cargo over the weekend of the 22nd and 23rd February. This will involve Cheriton being illuminated on each evening between 6pm and 9pm. You may have also recently noticed Strange Cargo’s light installation on the back of their building which faces the approach to Folkestone West station, when arriving from the Ashford direction. If not, it’s something to look out for the next time you take the train.