Archive for the ‘Press Releases’ Category

« Older Entries

easyJet ‘unlikely’ to use Southend Airport

Sunday, August 29th, 2010

For Immediate Release

SAEN[1] has today learned that easyJet is ‘unlikely to fly to and from’ Southend Airport.

David McLaren, an easyJet employee, made the statement on the customer feedback website Get Satisfaction[2] in response to a customer suggestion made in July for them to operate services between Southend and Berlin.

In the statement, Mr McLaren says:

“As easyJet already service 3 London airports, which are more centrally located than Southend airport, it is unlikely that we will fly to and from this airport once the modernisation is finished. Also, easyJet does already fly from Berlin to both London, Gatwick and London, Luton a number of times daily.”

Evidence that Southend will be unable to attract passenger operators has been mounting for some time, particularly with the news in April that Stobart was contemplating setting up its own airline. SAEN has long argued that Southend Airport is unsuitable as a passenger airport of the scale proposed by Stobart due to its relatively inaccessible location and proximity to population centres.

This could be a sign that SAEN’s previous assertion that Stobart’s real aim for Southend Airport was primarily freight-oriented. However, SAEN maintains that the best use of the airport is for plane maintenance and repair and flying clubs as these uses provide jobs while not putting an undue burden on the local road network.

ENDS.

Notes to Editors

  1. Stop Airport Extension Now Ltd. (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. Stop Airport Extension Now Ltd is a Member Based Company Limited by Financial Guarantee.
  2. The statement is available at: http://getsatisfaction.com/easyjet/topics/london_southend_airport_potential

For further information:

  • Contact Denis Walker, Press Officer for Stop Airport Extension Now
  • Visit the SAEN website – http://saen.org.uk/

Posted in Press Releases | No Comments »

Southend Council taken to court over runway extension planning permission

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

For Immediate Release

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 locally resident SAEN[1] 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, we 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 been approved by the Development Control Committee. The Council took the decision against the 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.”

ENDS.

Notes to Editors

  1. Stop Airport Extension Now Ltd. (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. Stop Airport Extension Now Ltd is a Member Based Company Limited by Financial Guarantee.

For further information:

  • Contact Denis Walker, Press Officer for Stop Airport Extension Now
  • Visit the SAEN website – http://saen.org.uk/

Tags:
Posted in Press Releases | 1 Comment »

Boys win car in SAEN giveaway

Wednesday, May 26th, 2010

Shop Window Quiz Prizewinners

SAEN Chairman George Harvey presents prizes to Oliver Hales and Niall and Rory Windass (2)


A wet and windy day on Saturday 8th May certainly did not dampen the spirits of the many who braved the elements to join in the fun of the SAEN[1] Shop Window Quiz around the one-way system in Leigh.

Contestants had to locate the quiz questions in the windows of the shops around the Leigh Broadway one-way system before handing their answers in at the SAEN stall. Prizewinners were drawn from the hat, having got all twelve answers right. The prizewinners were:

1st Prize Niall and Rory Windass Remote Controlled Car
2nd Prize Oliver Hales Darth Vader 3D Jigsaw
3rd Prize Mrs A Pear Soft Toy
4th Prize Henry Snell Model Aeroplane

The organisers – the anti airport runway extension group, SAEN – were delighted with the increase in membership and the many donations to the campaign’s legal fighting fund. SAEN is in the early stages of a judicial challenge to Southend Council’s decision to grant planning permission to extend the runway at Southend Airport.

SAEN spokesman, Denis Walker, said “It just goes to show that the weather aside the public were prepared to stop to express their views and concerns. Not one person spoke up in favour of the airport plans, but many still did not understand the implications.”

Well done to the winners and thank you, Leigh!

ENDS.

Notes to Editors

1. “Stop Airport Extension Now” (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.

2. A range of high quality RAW format images of the prizegiving are available for download from http://www.saen.org.uk/swq201005_prizes/

Posted in Press Releases | No Comments »

SAEN not responsible for “leafletgate”

Friday, April 30th, 2010

Nigel Holdcroft’s assertion that SAEN has been responsible for “illegal” election leaflets is a disgraceful slur and a desperate attempt by a failed councillor to deflect public anger away from himself. SAEN absolutely denies any wrongdoing – the leaflet published on the CouncilBust.com website this morning was not written or distributed by SAEN.

Holdcroft is the leader of a council which has ridden roughshod over the people of this town in so many areas. Whether it’s airport expansion, road widening or tree-felling, public opinion has invariably been overwhelmingly against the council’s policies and this coming Thursday will be the day that the people of Southend have the opportunity to pass judgement on him and his council.

Holdcroft made the decision to side with big business against the electorate’s wishes so he can hardly complain if they sling him out. That’s democracy and he clearly doesn’t like it.

ENDS.

Notes to Editors

“Stop Airport Extension Now” (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.

For further information:

  • Contact Denis Walker, Press Officer SAEN (Stop Airport Extension Now)
  • Visit the SAEN website – http://saen.org.uk/

Tags:
Posted in Press Releases | 1 Comment »

High Court Ruling throws expansion plans at Southend airport into question

Friday, March 26th, 2010

PLANS to expand Southend airport were thrown into serious doubt today when a High Court Judge said that the Government’s 2003 aviation policy didn’t fully take into account the effects of climate change.

In a damning ruling handed down at the Royal Courts of Justice today, Lord Justice Carnwath said that the Government’s 2003 Aviation White Paper – the basis for expansion at Heathrow airport and dozens of other airports around the country, including Southend – needs to be re-thought in the light of climate change and the UK’s climate change laws. This effectively means that the white paper must now be radically over-hauled so that it is in line with the Climate Change Act 2008.

Climate Campaigner Anna Jones, of Greenpeace, said “Today’s ruling exposes a Government airport expansion policy that is out of control. This country needs a better railway system, not new runways. The Government cannot continue to ignore the impact of aviation on climate change. They should shelve all airport expansion plans now; every increase in capacity makes our problems worse.”

Press officer for SAEN[1], Denis Walker, added “It has been obvious to us all along that as well as blighting the lives of thousands of local residents, the expansion of Southend Airport would be disastrous for the environment. Lord Justice Carnwath has today totally vindicated this position and the Airport can expect to see us in court soon.”

The judgment was delivered in response to a Judicial Review brought by Greenpeace and 12 other groups, including local councils, residents groups and other leading green groups. They argued that the consultation process which led to the decision to allow a 3rd runway at Heathrow to be built was fundamentally flawed and that the decision to expand Heathrow is at odds with the UK’s overall climate change targets.

The Climate Change Committee – an independent watchdog created by the act – recently advised the Government that around half of the planned airport expansion in the UK would have to be scrapped if the Government’s own aviation emissions target is to be met and that therefore it needed to review its 2003 aviation expansion policy.

ENDS.

Notes to Editors

  1. “Stop Airport Extension Now” (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.

For further information:

  • Call Denis Walker, Press Officer SAEN (Stop Airport Extension Now)
  • Visit the SAEN website – http://saen.org.uk/
  • For more detail on the Heathrow ruling, call the Greenpeace press office

Posted in Press Releases | No Comments »

Councillors approve runway extension in face of overwhelming public opposition

Wednesday, January 20th, 2010

Southend Borough Council’s Development Control Committee met this afternoon to approve planning permission for a longer runway at London Southend Airport. Airport owners, Stobart, want the extension to enable growth of the airport to two million passengers per year.

Forty-four members of the public had registered to address the Committee but under Council rules only one is allowed to speak. Immediately prior to the meeting, SAEN Chairman, Kiti Theobald, was selected to represent the views of the public in opposing the planning application. Her speech was welcomed with enthusiastic applause from the public gallery, to which the chairman of the Development Control Committee, Brian Kelly, took exception. It was notable that no such objections were forthcoming three minutes later when airport employees who had been brought in on a Stobart coach applauded Alastair Welch, the airport’s managing director.

After Cllrs Flewitt and Wexham addressed the Development Control Committee as ordinary councillors, it was the turn of the Development Control members themselves. Lib Dem Councillor for St Laurence, Ted Lewin, highlighted his concerns about night flights and tabled a motion for the airport to be closed between midnight and 6am. Planning officers quickly persuaded him to withdraw the motion and Mr Lewin’s concerns clearly weren’t that great as he went on to vote in favour of the planning application.

Cllr Godwin, Lib Dem for Leigh, who had stepped in to replace Cllr Crystall on the committee, raised concerns about parking facilities at the airport, which he felt were inadequate. He also challenged officers on increased emissions from cars travelling to and from the airport but missed the elephant in the room, namely emissions from the planes themselves.

Two members, Cllrs Horrigan and Robertson, wasted the Committee’s time complaining about emails they said they had received from constituents pointing out that if they voted in favour of the planning application they may be held to account at the ballot box. It seemed to come as a surprise to both of them that they were democratically accountable.

After three and a half hours, the Development Control Committee voted 14 to 3 in favour of approving the planning application.

Spokesman for SAEN, Denis Walker said: “In all tests of public opinion, whether it be the JAAP consultation or the responses to the planning application, there has always been an overwhelming majority opposed to the runway extension. It is unfortunate that most Councillors prefer to ignore their electors in pursuit of a scheme that even if successful, will only line the pockets of the airport owners. It will do nothing to contribute to the wider local economy and will blight the lives of local residents.”

The decision now rests with the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, John Denham MP, whether to accept the Committee’s findings or to call the application in for his own determination following a Public Inquiry.

ENDS.

Notes to Editors

“Stop Airport Extension Now” (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.

Posted in News, Press Releases | No Comments »

Demonstrators oppose runway extension at Southend Airport

Tuesday, January 19th, 2010

PRESS RELEASE

For: 20th January 2010
Demonstrators oppose Southend Airport runway extension

PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
Demonstrators gather on the steps of Southend Civic Centre prior to the afternoon’s Development Control Committee meeting. This meeting will decide whether to approve a planning application to extend the runway at Southend Airport.

When: 10:30am, 20th January 2010
Venue: Southend Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue, Southend-on-Sea
Contact: Denis Walker, Press Officer, Stop Airport Extension Now – denis@saen.org.uk

At 2pm on 20th January, Southend Borough Council’s Development Control Committee will meet to decide whether to grant planning permission for a longer runway at London Southend Airport. Airport owners, Stobart, want the extension to enable growth of the airport to two million passengers per year.

However, on Monday, the Government Office for the East of England issued an Article 14 Direction to Southend Borough Council, requiring them to refer the application to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, John Denham MP. This Direction prevents the Council from issuing their decision on whether or not to grant planning permission until the Secretary of State has had the opportunity to consider whether the application is one that he should call in for his own determination.

“This is welcome news,” said Denis Walker, Press Officer for SAEN – the campaign group formed to oppose the lengthening of the runway at Southend Airport. “Ever since the planning application was submitted, we have been calling for a Public Inquiry to investigate it properly and this is the first step to getting one.”

“The planning application was submitted part way through the consultation process for a Joint Area Action Plan to determine the future of the airport and its environs. We argue that until this Action Plan is finalised, any decision to extend the runway is premature.”

ENDS.

Notes to Editors

“Stop Airport Extension Now” (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.

For further information:

  • Contact Denis Walker, Press Officer SAEN (Stop Airport Extension Now), denis@saen.org.uk
  • Visit the SAEN website – http://saen.org.uk/

Tags: , ,
Posted in News, Planning Application, Press Releases | 1 Comment »

Is runway approval a foregone conclusion at Southend Airport?

Thursday, January 14th, 2010

As soon as Stobart submitted their planning application to extend the runway at London Southend Airport, some people said that the outcome was a foregone conclusion. They could be accused of being cynical, but the evidence is now mounting that they were right.

Firstly, there is the evidence of the second phase of Joint Area Action Plan (JAAP) consultation, which ignored the majority of respondents to Phase 1 and nominated the least popular proposal as the Councils’ preferred option.[1] The full analysis of the Phase 2 consultation will not be published until after the Development Control Committee have made their decision. Were it not for SAEN’s[2] Freedom of Information request, which was only granted on appeal to the Information Commissioner, not even the raw numbers of objectors and supporters would be available[3] and yet they show that well over three quarters of respondents opposed the runway extension.

Then there is the evidence of the shambolic state of the planning application file where legitimate objections were being discounted for no discernible reason, objections and invalid responses were being counted as support and supporting comments were being counted twice.[4] There was even one example where a respondent had supplied nothing more than their name and address and was counted as supporting the application.

We now also have the evidence of the Officers’ Report[5], published on 13th January, which recommends that the planning application be approved – in many cases solely on the evidence of the Airport owners with no independent analysis. The report is biased in its analysis of the comments received. It says that “strong support has been shown by a number of local employers” and names seven examples, six of which are in the aviation industry. No details are provided about companies that objected to the planning application.

The Officers’ Report refers to “The Planning System – General Principles”[6] which “advises that unless the proposed development is so significant it would prejudice [a Development Plan Document, such as the JAAP] a refusal on prematurity grounds should not be necessary.”[7] However, the extension of the runway at Southend Airport is the central tenet of the proposals detailed in Phase 2 of the JAAP consultation. A decision to approve the planning application would therefore prejudice the JAAP. This means that the planning application must be rejected to allow the JAAP process to run its course. The Report acknowledges that the development under consideration in the planning application is “significant”[8] then immediately goes on to dismiss it as “only one aspect of the development of the airport…” and proceeds to advise Councillors that “It is not considered the proposal should be refused on grounds of prematurity.”[9]

The Development Control Committee meets to decide the planning application at 2pm on Wednesday 20th January at Southend Civic Centre.

ENDS.

Notes for Editors

[1] “Despite some support, the majority of respondents were opposed to Scenario 3. There was significant opposition to Scenario 3, particularly, but not exclusively, from members of the public.” – Analysis of responses to Phase 1 of JAAP Consultation, page 15: http://www.rochford.gov.uk/PDF/JAAP_%20issues_and_options_summary_consultation_response.pdf

[2] “Stop Airport Extension Now” (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.

[3] http://www.rochford.gov.uk/pdf/JAAP_representations_summary.pdf

[4] SAEN’s concerns have been outlined in a letter to the Council at http://www.saen.org.uk/2010/01/errors-in-planning-depts-handling-of-the-planning-application/ For privacy, the letter has been edited to remove the names of respondents. The planning application (ref 09/01960/FULM) comments files are available to view at Southend Borough Council by appointment. Call the Southend Borough Council Planning Department for an appointment on 01702 215328

[5] http://minutes.southend.gov.uk/akssouthend/images/att16846.doc

[6] http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/147396.pdf

[7] Point 4.1.35 of [4]

[8] Point 4.1.36 of [4]

[9] Point 4.1.37 of [4]

For further information:

* Call Denis Walker, Press Officer, SAEN (Stop Airport Extension Now)
* Visit the SAEN website – http://saen.org.uk/

Tags: , ,
Posted in Press Releases | 1 Comment »

Environmental Group Calls for a Night Air Freight Tax

Thursday, December 10th, 2009

Press Release – Embargoed until 00.01 Thursday 10th December

Members of AirportWatch and SAEN launch the report at Southend Airport.

Members of AirportWatch and SAEN launch the report at Southend Airport.


Launch of New Report: Air Freight: The Impacts

10th December – 11am
Outside Southend Airport, Eastwoodbury Crescent, Southend

AirportWatch, the umbrella body of organisations opposed to airport expansion, is calling for a Night Air Freight Tax. The call comes on the day AirportWatch launches a major report on air freight (1). The report, Air Freight: The Impacts, will be launched at 11am on 10th December. The launch will be taking place in Southend (2), to coincide with the last day on consultation of plans to expand the local airport being proposed by the freight magnate Eddie Stobbart (3).

The 40 page report highlights the tax-breaks enjoyed by the aviation freight industry. It pays no tax on aviation fuel. It is exempt from VAT. And it does not pay the equivalent of Air Passenger Duty. AirportWatch is calling for Air Passenger Duty to be replaced by a Plane Tax, a proposal supported by both the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats. But AirportWatch is calling for a higher rate of tax to be paid on freight planes using the airports at night.

John Stewart, the current Chair of AirportWatch, said, “A higher charge on night freight flights would be a sensible market mechanism to force the industry to decide just how much freight really needs to be flown during the night. Our report suggests that only about 20% of express freight is time-critical. Fewer freight flights at night would bring real benefits to residents under the flight paths.”

The report also highlights the global impact of air freight. It estimates that air cargo accounts for about 20% of all global aviation emissions. It has found that air freight produces the most carbon emissions per tonne of any form of freight transport, with considerably greater amounts of CO2 produced per tonne kilometre than shipping.

Rose Bridger, the author of the report, said, ‘Air freight volumes have reduced during the recession, but freight capacity expansion is planned and underway at airports all over the UK. This will either undermine our greenhouse gas reduction targets, or leave us with white elephants if it is underutilised’.

The report found that the UK is running a considerable air freight trade deficit – over £20 billion annually with non-EU countries (which account for 85% of UK freight).

ENDS

Notes for Editors

  1. The Report, a summary and an airport-by-airport analysis are available.
  2. The location is the passenger entrance to Southend Airport, Eastwoodbury Crescent, Southend. A map is available at http://tr.im/GsIN
  3. The Stobart Group, most famous for their freight business, bought London Southend Airport in December 2008. They plan a massive expansion, taking the airport from under 50,000 to two million passengers per year by 2020. As well as passenger flights, Stobart anticipates that up to 10% of the 53,300 flights they are permitted each year will be for freight. Local residents are worried about the noise, pollution and road congestion that this will cause and are fighting the proposal to extend the airport’s runway.

Tags: ,
Posted in Press Releases | No Comments »

Computer glitch leaves Council with Egg on Face

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

The planning application submitted by the Stobart Group to extend the runway at Southend Airport originally had a deadline of 12th November for objections. However, this was extended to 20th November. In recent days, the deadline published on the Council’s website changed again, firstly to 1st December and now to 10th.

Dean Hermitage, the Planning Officer in charge of this particular project, was completely unaware of the changes and expressed some exasperation that the Council’s computer system seems to change the deadline of its own volition. However, he commented, “Since our website now displays the 10th December deadline, we will obviously have to honour that. It does make it a bit difficult taking all those comments into account in time for the Development Control Committee of 20th January.

“However, we will accept comments right up to the DCC Committee meeting.”

Kiti Theobald, chairman of Stop Airport Extension Now, responded: “One wonders how much attention will be given to comments submitted ‘right up to’ 20th January if the Council are worried that 10th December is cutting it fine.

“We encourage people to get their objections in before the 10th December deadline, but they should also write to the Government Office for the East of England asking for the application to be called in for a Public Inquiry. Details are available on our website at http://saen.org.uk/”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

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/

Tags: ,
Posted in Planning Application, Press Releases | No Comments »

« Older Entries