THOUSANDS of potential new jobs could be at risk if there is a public inquiry into Southend Airport’s expansion, a councillor has said.
More than 7,000 jobs could be created with ambitious plans to expand the airport and redevelop the surrounding area.
Although Southend Council has approved the runway expansion, Secretary of State John Denham must first decide whether to hold a public inquiry or back the council’s decision.
The jobs would be created by expanding the Saxon business park and a smaller business park in Nestuda Way as well as the redevelopment of the Aviation Way industrial estate.
Keith Hudson, Rochford’s councillor for planning and transportation, said: “It is extremely important we get an early decision from the Secretary of State, as it would be a crying shame to miss this golden opportunity to kick start the local economy, in order to capitalise on the potential provided by the Olympics.
Tags: Cllr Keith Hudson
It is disingenuous for Mr Hudson to claim that jobs are at risk if there is a public inquiry into the runway extension as the Saxon Business Park is entirely unrelated to the runway extension and can be developed with or without the airport.
The claim that this proposal will create over 7,000 jobs is also completely unrealistic, particularly bearing in mind Rochford District Council’s intention of knocking down the Eldon Way industrial estate and relocating the businesses to the Saxon Business Park. This means that many of the jobs already exist and are simply being moved from one place to another.