PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release

5th November 2009

Huge opposition to airport expansion revealed

The “Stop Airport Extension Now” (SAEN) campaign is today celebrating success in forcing Rochford District Council to reveal the results of a consultation into plans to expand Southend Airport.

Initially, Rochford Council refused to release the figures, claiming that it was not in the public interest to do so[1]. However, following a Freedom of Information appeal by SAEN, the Information Commissioner ruled that the Council must publish the results[2].

At the time of writing, the results are yet to appear on the Rochford Council website[3], but SAEN has learned that they show that out of 2229 respondents, 1718 had objections to the Joint Area Action Plan with 437 of 572 specifically opposing the runway extension.

Denis Walker, press officer for SAEN, said “It’s a pity Rochford Council wanted to hide these figures from the public. It’s only through the determined work of the SAEN committee that the Information Commissioner ruled that they had to be released.

“What the figures show is that there is an overwhelming majority against the airport expansion – well over three to one against. No wonder the Council wanted to keep them quiet. It demonstrates that Southend and Rochford Councils are more interested in supporting big business than protecting local residents’ quality of life.”

People need to remember that even though they may already have registered their opposition, they have to do it again by submitting an objection to the airport’s planning application by 20th November. Details on how to do this are available at http://saen.org.uk/

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

[1] http://www.saen.org.uk/2009/08/shaun-scrutton-refusal-to-publish-consultation-results-and-other-matters/
[2] http://www.saen.org.uk/2009/11/information-commissioners-ruling-on-jaap-results/
[3] http://www.rochford.gov.uk/

About SAEN:

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/
For further comment, email press@saen.org.uk

Tags: Freedom of Information, Rochford District Council, SAEN

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