Commenting on the announcement Damian Collins said: “This is excellent news and will I believe provide a considerable boost to the economy of Romney Marsh, creating new jobs and attracting businesses to locate in this area.
“You can look at the success of other smaller airports like Southend, to see that they can play an important role in the local economy. Southend airport has attracted an investment of over £100 million from its owners, and offers flights to major European hubs, like Amsterdam, and also direct routes to holiday destinations in Spain and Portugal, something that Lydd’s current short runway prevents.
“Some people have suggested that in Kent we should have to choose between the airports at Lydd and Manston, but I don’t accept this. With modern facilities and transport infrastructure around them, there is no reason why both cannot have a bright future.
“Now that the government has approved the planning application, the only grounds for a legal challenge would be if it was felt that the due processes had not been followed correctly.”
In reference to objections Damian explained how the government has considered each in turn: “The Government has never considered that there are any safety issues with the proximity of the airport to Dungeness power station.
“The report also deals with concerns raised about the bird habitats around the Dungeness reserve, saying that the ‘RSPB does not say that any significant effects [on habitats] would be likely, which is the threshold under the Regulations... or that there would be harm to the integrity of the [protected area].’
“On noise levels the report notes that ‘on the Campaign to Protect Rural England’s own evidence... Lydd would continue to enjoy a tranquillity score comparable to National Parks.’”
The airport management plans now to extend the runway and build a new terminal building to take up to half a million passengers annually. Following the extensions, the airport hopes that up to 400 people will be employed directly or indirectly as a result of the investment.