The decision to allow the controlled expansion of Lydd Airport was given the green light by the High Court last week, ending years of speculation and debate over its future. The High Court’s decision upholds the approval previously granted by Shepway Council, the Planning Inspectorate, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, and the Secretary of State for Transport. There are no grounds for any further appeals on the decision, or indeed any organisation that can be appealed to. We can now let the airport get on with it.
I have supported the controlled expansion of Lydd Airport all the way through. I believe that it will directly create hundreds of new jobs for Romney Marsh and encourage other businesses to locate here. Good transport infrastructure supports economic development, and the airport will add to what we have to offer, as well as benefiting itself from its proximity to the high speed rail link from Ashford. The development of Lydd Airport is also good news for East Kent following the decision to close Manston. Some people have asked why we believe that Lydd will succeed whereas Manston has failed. The answer to that is location; Lydd has a larger catchment area and faster travel times linking it to London and rest of the south east.
There has of course been considerable debate about the environmental impact of the airport, and this has been examined in great detail through the various planning inquiries that have taken place. Quite simply, the expansion would not have been allowed to go ahead if there would be a significant negative environmental impact affecting either local residents or natural habitats. The planning approval for the airport will also prevent night flights from Lydd, something that can and does currently take place from the airport.
The airport expansion is being financed by direct foreign investment into the UK, something that in itself is to be welcomed, and the owners are hoping to start work on the new runway and facilities this year.
There was further good news last week for the local economy with the publication of the latest unemployment statistics. These showed a further welcome and significant fall in the unemployment total for the Folkestone and Hythe constituency. Unemployment is now well below its peak during the recession and nearly 30% lower than it was in May 2010. Unemployment continues to fall locally faster than the national and regional averages showing that our area has the potential to be one of the real growth success stories over the next few years.
Last Friday I was in New Romney with Mark Dance from Kent County Council, Bill Fox from the Kent Business Academy and the Kent Federation of Small Business to promote the Marsh Million business week. From 3rd to 6th June there will be a series of talks and networking events being held at the Marsh Academy Community Hub in New Romney. You can find out more about these at the website www.fsb.org.uk/fsbkentevents