SAEN Ltd is aware that an application for permission to apply for a Judicial Review is being lodged with the High Court.

The claimant is a local resident SAEN member highly concerned at the decision by Southend Borough Council to grant planning permission for an extended runway and has the full support of the campaign group.

There is particular concern over the potential impact of night flights and despite assurances to the contrary, they believe that the new mitigation measures are insufficient to avoid widespread distress.

The economic argument for additional jobs has never been substantiated and is uncertain at best. What is certain, however, is that there will be extra noise and pollution for an area already one of the most congested and densely populated in the United Kingdom.

“We had no choice, but to go to court,” said SAEN director, Graham Whitehead. “Both Southend and Rochford councils have shown total disregard for the interests of their residents and this should never have been approved by the Development Control Committee.

“The Council took the decision against he will of the vast majority of the people who responded to the consultation.

“We believe that the planning permission process was legally flawed and we are confident that the Court will find in our favour.”

Brussels’ advice on a new petition

SINCE my last Political Viewpoint article appeared in this newspaper – a General Election has taken place and a new government has been elected.

During my time in Parliament, there has been a marked contrast in what I was able to achieve locally between 1983 and 1997 compared to what I have achieved since.

There is no doubt in my mind that this was primarily due to having a Labour Government for the last 13 years who shifted resources from areas such as ours to the Midlands and the North.

I am now absolutely determined to change that and am immediately acting on a number of commitments I gave during the General Election campaign.

For example, I have always believed that Southend should be involved in the 2012 London Olympics. Another of them was regarding the proposed expansion of Southend Airport.

The irony is that if we had had the present Government at the time the council’s committee met to consider planning permission, I do not believe the result would have been the same.

I always felt that the fairest way to deal with such a contentious issue was to have a Public Inquiry and allow all voices to be heard.

The Labour Secretary of State dismissed that option. However, before the General Election I visited Brussels and explored with the Office of the European Commissioner, dealing with the environment and pollution generally, what assistance he might give local residents who were concerned about the proposed expansion.

It was suggested that a petition could be launched to the Parliament regarding the proposed expansion in terms of the effects on the local environment and pollution.

This petition has now been launched and if any resident would like a copy of it or would like to sign it they can download it from our website or collect a form from Iveagh Hall, 67 Leigh Road, Leigh-on-Sea.

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.