In the Echo on Monday:
Why a judge’s ruling is so important for the airport’s future
Monday, November 15th, 2010
By JOHN GEOGHEGAN
JUBILATION greeted the Government’s decision to back Southend Airport’s runway extension in March – 13 years after the expansion plans were first put forward.
It left its owner, the Stobart Group, poised to push ahead with its ÂŁ35million scheme to make Southend a gateway for visitors to the 2012 London Olympics. [despite the fact that the airport is not an official transport provider for the Olympics]
But the decision was not universally popular. In July, anti-expansion campaigners launched a legal bid to block the extension.
An un-named member of Stop Airport Expansion Now applied for judicial review of the runway decision – even winning legal aid for the bid.
The application claims procedures followed by Southend Council, when it approved the runway extension, were flawed.
A High Court judge will first decide if the extension work can continue ahead of a court ruling on the issue of the council’s handling of the plans.
With the Olympics less than two years away, the judge’s decision on this initial matter could prove critical, since legal processes are often time-consuming and hugely costly.
The fact the unidentified applicant is getting legal aid has infuriated some, including James Duddridge, Tory MP for Rochford and Southend East.
He said: “It’s totally inappropriate for these campaigners to get legal aid. It might cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of pounds. It’s not just legal aid for the applicants, but the council’s legal costs and officers’ time. It’s a ludicrous position.”
Tory council leader Nigel Holdcroft agreed. He said: “It’s a complete waste of time and taxpayers’ money.
“It’s costing council taxpayers a significant amount to fund the council’s defence in the judicial review. To me, it seems farcical. If people want to challenge this, they should be funding it themselves.”
The council insists proper planning procedures were followed in approving plans to allow the runway to be extended by almost 1,000ft to accommodate bigger, more modern aircraft.
However, the campaign group claims the council failed to take into account public consultations in which a majority of respondents objected to the plans.
As well as being the planning authority, Southend Council also owns the land on which the airport stands. It also has responsibility to attract new business to the borough, and both factors add a further complication.
Campaign group spokesman Denis Walker said the application for judicial review would also challenge evidence supporting expansion, which was presented to planners by other council departments. He said: “We don’t want to have to go to court, but when the council fails to listen to the people of the town, it’s the only option we have. As far as money is concerned, the airport is costing us millions. Frankly, the cost of the judicial review will be a drop in the ocean in comparison.”
Despite the strength of its opponents and the formidable task ahead, the campaign group insists the runway extension is still not a foregone conclusion.
The runway question aside, Stobart has wasted no time in forging ahead with other aspects of its expansion plan.
A ÂŁ12million railway station at the airport is almost finished and due to open at the turn of the year. A ÂŁ3million control tower will follow in February. Plans for a ÂŁ10million hotel were given planning permission in September, and last week, the council approved a new road between Eastwoodbury Crescent[Lane] and Nestuda Way. The purpose of the road is to carry traffic diverted from the path of the extended runway. Campaigners want that decision considered as part of the review of the runway application, adding another note of uncertainty.
MP Mr Duddridge is hoping the issue can be settled speedily. He said: “This review is a distraction from the very important investment Southend needs, and which the majority of residents wants.
“We can’t let this stop development. we have to grasp the enormous opportunity of the 2012 Olympics.” [Which lasts two weeks and will cost the UK money, not make a profit.]
The legal challenge has also delayed council negotiations on a new site lease with Stobart – something it originally hoped to start during the summer.
Financial considerations aside, a new lease would give the council a chance to impose fresh restrictions on night flights.
Mr Holdcroft said: “It’s frustrating. We want to get on and have a full debate about this.
“Decisions like this should be taken by elected representatives in Southend – not by a judge in London.”
And another one:
Plan facing a second legal challenge
Monday, November 15th, 2010
SOUTHEND Council is facing a second application for judicial review from a disgruntled campaigner.
Stop Airport Extension Now spokesman Denis Walker said the other application had been lodged by a campaigner who was not part of his group.
He said the bid also challenged the planning decision – but on different grounds. He added: “I understand it might be to do with the technical aviation aspects.”
Council leader Nigel Holdcroft said he had been told the second applicant was someone who lived some distance from Southend. He said: “My understanding is it has no real prospect of success. These people are simply trying to disrupt the process for the sake of disrupting it.”
While MP James Duddridge is behind the expansion, Southend’s other Tory MP, David Amess, still wants a full public inquiry on the runway expansion. He has submitted a petition, signed by about 3,000 people, to the European Parliament, calling for an inquiry, with the backing of Stop Airport Expansion Now.
Sign In
