THERE is outrage in Leigh-On-Sea (LOS) after plans to extend Southend Airport were approved yesterday (Wednesday).
The runway will be extended by 300 metres and six cottages in Eastwoodbury Lane will be demolished.
Despite the fact that more than 1,000 jobs could be created LOS Town Councillors aren’t happy about the development.
Councillor, Reta Cocks, said: “I’m very angry. I don’t think it’s good for this town or the surrounding area.
“It’s wrong for the environment and it will make a lot of noise and cause pollution. I feel very sorry it has come to this.
“I hope the Government makes the right decision, it’s in the wrong place and a big mistake.”
After a public consultation on the plans 1,469 people and organisations objected to them compared to 549 people who responded in support of them.
Chairperson of Leigh-On-Sea Town Council, Margaret Cotgrove, said: “There will be pollution and increased traffic as a result of the decision.
“There’s only one main road into Southend at the moment.”
The plans will need final approval from the Communities Secretary John Denham of the Government who could call for a public enquiry on them.
Archive for January 21st, 2010
Anger as Southend Airport expansion nears approval
Thursday, January 21st, 2010Protesters make final stand before decision
Thursday, January 21st, 2010
Leading the opposition - members of the Stop Airport Extension Now group protest outside the Civic Centre
PROTESTERS voiced their opposition one last time before Southend Council made its decision over the expansion of the airport.
Waving a banner, the group of about 15, made their feelings known to the council’s development control committee, before members voted.
The scheme to extend the runway across Eastwoodbury Lane and push the airport as a major passenger terminal have proved contentious, with scores of public meetings and more than 1,400 objections from individuals and organisations.
Protesters from the group Stop Airport [Extension] Now, braved the January chill to make their feelings known outside the Civic Centre in Victoria Avenue. Protester Jackie Miles, 53, of Marine Parade, Leigh, said: “I will be right under the flight path and I just don’t think it is right to have an airport in such a densely populated area.
“I hope it gets called in by the Secretary of State, It’s all we can hope for and is our last chance.”
Niqui Denkmayer, 60, of Eastwood Road, Leigh, also joined the protest.
She said: “I don’t think the airport is viable. We have had huge property developments since the 1960s, so the planes will be flying over a densely populated area.
“The planes already fly over our house, so they can’t tell me it doesn’t make a noise, because it does.”
Also protesting was Brenda Meachen, 81, who has lived in Leigh for 56 years and believes the airport will eventually become a base for commercial cargo flights.
Mrs Meachen, of Westcliff Drive, added: “The infrastructure here just can’t take any more traffic. It’s terrible already.”
Leigh Lib Dem councillor Alan Crystall joined the protesters and said he did not regret forfeiting his place on the development control committee in order to speak out about his opposition to the plans.
Denis Walker, spokesman from the Stop Airport [Extension Now] group, said: “It doesn’t really matter what today’s outcome is until the Secretary of State has commented.
“Hopefully we will get proper scrutiny on this. If there was a public inquiry there would be the chance to cross-examine the people involved. The council doesn’t have the expertise to decide on this.”
