The planning application submitted by the Stobart Group to extend the runway at Southend Airport originally had a deadline of 12th November for objections. However, this was extended to 20th November. In recent days, the deadline published on the Council’s website changed again, firstly to 1st December and now to 10th.
Dean Hermitage, the Planning Officer in charge of this particular project, was completely unaware of the changes and expressed some exasperation that the Council’s computer system seems to change the deadline of its own volition. However, he commented, “Since our website now displays the 10th December deadline, we will obviously have to honour that. It does make it a bit difficult taking all those comments into account in time for the Development Control Committee of 20th January.
“However, we will accept comments right up to the DCC Committee meeting.”
Kiti Theobald, chairman of Stop Airport Extension Now, responded: “One wonders how much attention will be given to comments submitted ‘right up to’ 20th January if the Council are worried that 10th December is cutting it fine.
“We encourage people to get their objections in before the 10th December deadline, but they should also write to the Government Office for the East of England asking for the application to be called in for a Public Inquiry. Details are available on our website at http://saen.org.uk/”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
SAEN was formed to campaign against the runway extension at Southend Airport. The group is not opposed to the Airport itself, which has co-existed with the residents of Southend for many years. SAEN is against the runway extension, which would lead to a massive increase in flights and destroy the lives of the people living, working or going to school anywhere near the flightpath.
Website: http://saen.org.uk/
Tags: SAEN, Southend Borough Council