THE plans to expand Southend Airport are currently under threat from two fronts.
Campaigners belonging to the protest group, Stop Airport Expansion [Extension] Now (SAEN) have applied for a judicial review of Southend Council’s decision to approve the airport expansion plan – and if they are successful the issue would be referred to the High Court.
But first, the application must go before a judge to decide whether a case for referral is justified.
The group has also applied for legal aid to help pay for the review, although funds have already been raised as part of the campaign.
The second threat comes from a separate campaign by Southend West MP David Amess, who has launched a petition to the European Commission calling for a public inquiry.
He believes a public inquiry is necessary to give all voices the opportunity to express their views.
Mr Amess told Parliament just before the recess: “Under the present Coalition Government approval would probably not thane been given.”
His views are not in accord with his Conservative colleagues on Southend Council who want to see the expansion go ahead.
The airport itself is pushing ahead with its plans and has built a new rail station, control tower and has released plans for a new hotel on the site.
The council has also approved plans for the runway extension, work on which could start any time now.