On 7th September, Shepway District Council's Chief Executive Alistair Stewart announced that the council's meeting to decide on Lydd Airport' planning applications was to be re-scheduled until early in 2010. The date has been changed yet again, following a request from the airport’s new Managing Director, Jonathan Gordon, who asked that the meeting be deferred to give him time to review all the paperwork involved in the two applications, including the airport’s response to concerns raised by the council in its published report.

The published report recommends that planning permission for both the runway extension and the new terminal be refused largely as a result of the airport's failure to demonstrate that the development will not have an adverse impact on the protected habitats that surround the airport's runway.

The Chief Executive made it clear that he is not prepared to change the date again as the airport applications must be finally determined. So we await a new council meeting decision date in 2010. The decision still rests with the councillors and if, at the end of this lengthy saga, the councillors do approve the plans, this would lead to an automatic call in, as they are going against recommendations from the statutory body, Natural England.

We will publish the new date as soon as we know it. Meanwhile, please continue to lobby the council to ask for refusal of planning permission for both applications. Please contact your local Shepway District Councillor (if you live within the Shepway area), or to write to or email the Leader of the Council, Mr Robert Bliss at the following address:

Mr R Bliss, Leader, Shepway District Council, Civic Centre, Castle Hill Ave, Folkestone, CT20 2QY.

Many thanks for all your support.

London Ashford Airport (Lydd) formally submitted the planning applications relating to it's expansion at the beginning of 2007. Two major applications were filed with Shepway District Council. The 1st (Y06/1648/SH)concerned transforming their runway to handle large jets, (Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 size), by adding 294 metres to it's length, plus another 150 meter starter extension. The 2nd (Y06/1647/SH) was for the erection of a terminal building and car parking to handle an initial 500,000 passengers annually.

Check out also the RSPB website community blogs for the article of Tuesday, 8 September 2009, Lydd Airport: this one will run and run.

11 June 2009: Alliance supports the Stop Manston Expansion group

The Keep the Marsh Special Alliance (KMSA) have recently contacted the Stop Manston Expansion group to express our support and to say that we share their concern about aviation expansion in general.

KMSA maintain our stance of anti growth at Lydd, but also have a consensus against airport expansion in general. Our opinion is not that people should never fly but that they make informed decisions about climate change and take into account the damage flying does to the planet before they fly.

The Alliance was set up specifically to campaign on Lydd in order to protect the unique environment of Romney Marsh. We do not have the resources to campaign against Manston also, except on an individual basis.

However, in principle, the Alliance is against Manston expansion and we believe all airport growth across the UK should be stopped. We believe all internal flights within mainland Britain should be discouraged and then phased out and taxed to pay for the construction of high speed 2 and 3 (London to Glasgow / Edinburgh adjacent to the West / East coast main lines).

Keep the Marsh Special Alliance monitoring the nuclear situation at Dungeness

A major concern in the KMSA campaign against Lydd Airport expansion is the fact that the airport is uniquely situated so close to a nuclear power station.

There is currently a 'B' Station operating until 2018, and possibly longer, if new builds do not follow as quickly as envisaged. The current reactor is not claimed to be able to withstand an impact such as a hit by a fully laden 737 aircraft and, even after eventual closure, there will be an unknown decommissioning period (minimum 20 years) where highly radioactive material will be on site.

Dungeness has also been included in the proposed sites for new nuclear reactors and it is envisaged that the current flight restriction zone of 1.5 nautical miles 'would be extended in the event of new nuclear development within the nominated site'. Dungeness 'C' Consultation Paper – Question D4 - Proximity to Civil Aircraft movements. KMSA is, therefore, monitoring closely the current and potential future developments on the nuclear site.

15 February 2008: GOSE Response to LAA Planning Application Letters

In response to KMSA’s last leafleting campaign, which asked local residents & concerned citizens to write to the Government Office for the South East (GOSE) asking them to "call in\” the LAA planning applications, GOSE have written to us stating that they won’t be replying to individual correspondents.

11 February 2008: KMSA Challenge Gordon Brown on Airport Expansions

KMSA chairman Rob Ryan has challenged Gordon Brown to freeze all current plans for airport expansion. Mr Ryan posed his challenge in a question to Gordon Brown for the Kent on Sunday Prime Minister Question Time in 11th February 2008. The question read:

"As a nation, we have a moral obligation to tackle our fair share of greenhouse gas emissions and their effect on climate change, including those from aviation. As the Stern report highlighted, the associated climate change costs of emissions at a "business as usual" level will be more detrimental to the economy in the long-term than the costs of abating climate change now. Therefore, why can we not follow France's lead and freeze all current plans for airport expansion?"

Mr Brown has in the past stated that we have a "moral obligation" to address climate change. Aviation is the fastest growing source of carbon dioxide emissions and already accounts for 13% of the UK's carbon emissions (1).

If aviation is left to grow as predicted, then this sector alone will account for all the CO2 emissions for the UK as a whole by 2050, assuming that the government heeds to a 450ppm CO2 stabilisation level (advocated by many scientists, despite the 550ppm CO2 upper limit within current policy predictions as quoted by Cairns & Newson) (2).

France's President, Nicolas Sarkozy announced last year that he intends to freeze all current plans for airport expansion and invest heavily in a growing high speed rail network (3).

Each year, the UK releases as much carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere through flying as the total annual CO2 emissions from the 15 poorest countries in the world, according to the World Development Movement (4).

14 January 2008: Airport Decision Meeting Re-scheduled

The council meeting to decide on plans to expand London Ashford Airport, Lydd, has been re-scheduled. The decision to postpone the meeting, planned for Wednesday 30 January, was taken by Shepway District Council's Chief Executive, Alistair Stewart. "This is one of the biggest planning applications this council has ever had to determine and it is one that has wide-ranging implications. It is vital that our councillors have all the information they need when making their decision" said Mr Stewart. "A lot of complex and technical details have to be considered in applications of this scale. Having taken counsel's advice I believe we need additional information to ensure that we are in a position to give councillors everything they need to make an informed decision, which is why I have decided to reschedule the meeting. "We will be talking to the applicants about the additional information we need, mainly concerning ecological and noise issues, and will set a date for the re-scheduled meeting as soon as possible. "I am sure everyone can appreciate the reasons for this decision. "I must stress that this is still a live application and our intention for two residents to speak at the meeting, one in support of the plans and one against, which we advertised in the local media, still stands."

11 January 2008: Feare Report Exposes Lydd Birdstrike Risk

A report by a leading expert on the birdstrike risk to aircraft, Professor Chris Feare, has described Lydd as an extremely hazardous site for airport expansion.

The area immediately surrounding Lydd airport is internationally important for birds, with up to 120,000 birds present at a time.

In his report, Professor Feare states: "Lydd represents an extremely hazardous site… It is therefore remarkable that such an airport development is being considered in an area where this abundance of wildlife already exists and receives legal protection, especially as the birds that are numerous in the area include most of the species that are perceived as especially hazardous to air safety in the UK."

The Feare Report goes on to say that the plans that Lydd Airport have drawn up to manage the birdstrike risk should focus on preserving flight safety but seem to be more concerned with presenting the plans positively in conservation terms. As a result, the airport's plans fail to consider some of the birdstrike risks, including migrating birds, the large numbers of geese, and movements of ducks.

The RSPB has claimed from the outset that the plans for the expansion of Lydd Airport fail to take proper account of the likely environmental damage. Professor Feare's report is seen as further evidence of this.

The RSPB believes that if the airport drew up truly effective bird hazard management plans it would undoubtedly threaten the internationally important bird population, which could lead to their expansion plans being scrapped.

Chris Corrigan, RSPB Regional Director said, "It is alarming to think that the airport is prepared to put forward inadequate bird hazard management plans with a environmental gloss that may even put passengers at risk, simply to get their applications approved."

1 January 2008: Carbon emissions higher than Government admits

Government figures to be released today will not show Britain's real carbon dioxide emissions, according to Friends of the Earth. The environmental group claim the figures would be 6 per cent higher if pollution from international flights was included [1] and is calling on the Government to include these missing emissions in the Climate Change Bill.

Aviation is the fastest growing source of emissions in the UK and has twice the climate impact because the gases are emitted at altitude. [2] Yet the Government has left aviation emissions out of the Climate Change Bill currently being debated in parliament.

Scientists, MPs and campaigners are worried that the Bill will be seriously undermined if aviation is not included. The Tyndall centre has calculated that the missing emissions would mean the climate change bill is too weak to be compatible with stopping dangerous climate change. The UK Met office define a rise in global average temperatures of more than 2 degrees as `dangerous'. The Tyndall centre predict that the Bill, as it is currently drafted, points to a 4 or 5 degree rise in temperature. [3]

The Environmental Audit Committee in Parliament has also questioned the Government's logic in leaving emissions out of the Climate Change Bill. [4] Friends of the Earth want the Government to include emissions from all sectors of the British economy including aviation and shipping.

Friends of the Earth's climate campaigner, Martyn Williams, said:

"Leaving aviation emissions out of the Climate Change Bill makes a mockery of the Government's climate strategy. It's plane unfair to expect all the other sectors of the economy to play their part in the fight against climate change while aviation remains outside the law."

UK carbon dioxide figures [5]

Since 1997 more than 260 million tonnes of carbon dioxide have been pumped out by planes from Britain, but these emissions are missing from Britain's figures. See below:

2005

Government total: 556.2 Million tonnes of Carbon Dioxide (MtC)
Missing aviation emissions: 35 MtC

2004

Government total: 556.5 MtC
Missing aviation emissions: 33.1 MtC

2003

Government total: 556.3 MtC
Missing aviation emissions: 29.6 MtC

2002

Government total: 544.3 MtC
Missing aviation emissions: 28.9 MtC

2001

Government total: 560.2 MtC
Missing aviation emissions: 29.5 MtC

2000

Government total: 549.3
Missing aviation emissions: 30.2 MtC

1999

Government total: 541.0 MtC
Missing aviation emissions: 27.4 MtC

1998

Government total: 550.2 MtC
Missing aviation emissions: 25.3 MtC

1997

Government total: 547.9 MtC
Missing aviation emissions: 22.7 MtC

Notes

[1] Aviation represents 6.29 per cent of UK emissions. This figure is calculated from the aviation bunker fuels reported on the Defra website.

[2] Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution (2002). The Environmental Effects of Civil Aircraft in Flight (see www.rcep.org.uk/aviation.html).

[3] A rise in global average temperatures of 2 degrees or more was defined as a `dangerous' level of climate change in "Avoiding Dangerous Climate Change", a report prepared for the Government by the UK Meteorological Office in February 2005.

The Tyndall centre for climate research has published a briefing on the Climate Change Bill, here: www.tyndall.ac.uk/publications/briefing_notes/bn17.pdf (PDF†)

[4] In its report 'Beyond Stern: From the Climate Change Programme Review to the Draft Climate Change Bill' the Environmental Audit Committee said:

"Overall, we are unimpressed by the Government's arguments for excluding international aviation and shipping emissions from the UK's carbon reduction regime. While the draft Bill contains provisions that allow these emissions to be included in the future, we recommend that they be included immediately. … There already is an internationally agreed methodology for attributing and recording these emissions as memo items to national Kyoto accounts; the Government should simply use this to track these emissions within the UK's carbon budgets." (Paragraph 96)

[5] Figures taken from Defra website: www.defra.gov.uk/environment/statistics

21 December 2007: EU ministers must strengthen plans for curbing aviation emissions

The EU Council of Environment Ministers is meeting on Thursday [1] to discuss plans to try and curb carbon dioxide emissions from air travel by including aviation in the European Union's Emissions Trading Scheme [EU ETS]. But Friends of the Earth says that the current proposals are far too weak to have any significant effect, and is calling on the proposals to be strengthened.

The environmental campaign group is also calling on the EU to adopt other measures to tackle the growing impact of air travel, and on the UK Government to take action too, such as including Britain's share of international aviation emissions in its climate change bill [2] and scrapping plans to allow massive airport expansion.

According to the European Commission's own impact assessment [3] the ETS will not significantly slow the increase in aviation emissions. Under the European Commission's original proposal aviation emissions will grow by 78% between 2005 and 2020 instead of 83% under business as usual - a reduction equivalent to less than one year's growth.

Aviation is Europe's fastest growing source of carbon dioxide emissions. A recent report by the Tyndall centre at the University of Manchester found that unless significant action is taken to cut this source of pollution, it could threaten EU targets for cutting emissions to prevent dangerous climate change. [4]

Friends of the Earth's Aviation campaigner Richard Dyer said:

"The EU called for tough climate action at the Bali climate talks last week. Now it must show real international leadership by developing a range of tough policies to combat the growing impact that aviation is having on our climate. This must include considerably strengthening its plans to include aviation in the EU ETS.

"European Commission plans to hand out virtually all aviation pollution permits for free will result in windfall profits for airlines. Ministers must put a stop to this gravy train and insist that all permits are auctioned".

"The UK Government must push for tough European measures, including a much more effective EU ETS. And it must also act at home. This should include scrapping plans to allow airport expansion, and ensuring that its new climate change law includes Britain's share of international aviation emissions."

Notes

[1] Ministers meet at 10.00 AM Brussels time (09.00 UK) The EU Presidency will hold a press conference after the meeting

[2]. Through The Big Ask, Friends of the Earth has successfully led the campaign for a UK climate change bill, which will be the first national legislation anywhere in the world to set legally-binding targets for cutting carbon dioxide emissions. But the environmental charity is urging the Government to make it even stronger, to ensure that Britain plays a leading role in developing a low-carbon future.

Friends of the Earth is calling for the law to be strengthened to ensure annual emissions cuts of at least 3 per cent year on year, include pollution from Britain's share of international aviation and shipping, and set annual milestones to ensure that we stay on track. The draft climate change bill is currently being debated in Parliament and could be law within six months. www.thebigask.com

[3]. http://ec.europa.eu/environment/climat/pdf/aviation/sec_2006_1685_en.pdf (PDF) Through The Big Ask, Friends of the Earth has successfully led the campaign for a UK climate change bill, which will be the first national legislation anywhere in the world to set legally-binding targets for cutting carbon dioxide emissions. But the environmental charity is urging the Government to make it even stronger, to ensure that Britain plays a leading role in developing a low-carbon future.

[4] www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/scientists_warn_that_eu_pl_03092007.html

For a more detailed press release with more notes, see www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/eu_ministers_must_strength_21122007.html

3 October 2007: MEPs get tough on aviation emissions: Lucas welcomes EU action on airlines' climate impact

EURO-MPs on the European Parliament's Environment Committee have voted to bring the aviation industry into the EU's Emissions Trading Scheme after Green MEP Caroline Lucas called for international agreement on reducing flying's increasing impact on climate change.

Dr Lucas had originally called for the aviation industry to be brought into an emissions trading scheme just for airlines, a proposal accepted by the full parliament last year but weakened in the report adopted today. Dr Lucas, who represents South-East England, said:

"The Environment Committee has voted to bring the ever-growing emissions from airlines in check. While the report is not as ambitious as my original proposals, which it adopted last year, MEPs have succeeded in significantly improving a weak proposal from the European Commission. With airlines the fastest growing source of climate-damaging emissions, it is crucial that the EU adopts robust measures to reduce these emissions as soon as possible.

"Past experience shows that unless polluters are made to pay or emissions credits, sectors like aviation - which can pass the cost on to their consumers - will gain windfall profits from the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). Clearly only a full auctioning of permits would ensure this is avoided and that airlines are made fully responsible for their emissions; thus we regret that MEPs did not support full uctioning. However, the Committee has voted for auctioning of half of the emissions permits, which is certainly a marked improvement from the Commission's proposal.

"Furthermore, the Committee has voted to take more account of the non-CO2 impact of aviation (which can be up to 4 times greater than the impact of CO2 emissions alone) by introducing a so-called 'multiplier' on CO2 emissions if alternative measures are not brought forward.

"Entry into the Emissions Trading Scheme cannot just be an excuse for the worst offending airlines to buy their way out of trouble and continue with a business as usual approach to their damaging emissions. I'm glad that MEPs have voted to limit the possibility for airlines to buy permits from other industry sectors that would allow airlines to increase their emissions. Trading with other sectors should not be manipulated by the aviation industry to enable it to pay for the 'right' to increase its pollution.

"Euro-MPs also proposed a significantly stricter initial permit allocation to the aviation industry than the original Commission proposal. While it is still more generous than that of other sectors or the Kyoto protocol commitment, it does at least imply an actual reduction in emissions."

The proposals will be debated and voted on by all MEPs next month. "The challenge is to keep its strengths and make sure the bill is not further diluted." added Dr Lucas.

25 September 2007: Airport could halt rare bird's comeback

Bitterns - one of Britain's most threatened birds - have started to make a real comeback in the UK but in Kent, they could face problems if plans to expand Lydd Airport are approved.

In 2007, male bitterns were recorded at more sites than any other year since 1990, when detailed annual monitoring began. Significantly, this survey revealed that this is the first time that bitterns have been recorded nesting in a newly created reedbed; the bird's preferred habitat.

The RSPB is creating a new reedbed at their Dungeness nature reserve. They have already had success this year when another reedbed specialist, marsh harriers, bred there for the first time. However, despite this initial success and the national success for bitterns, the RSPB fears that if plans for the expansion of Lydd Airport are approved, bitterns may never be allowed to return to the area.

Chris Corrigan, RSPB Regional Director, said: "The spread of the bitterns into areas of newly-created reedbeds is a testament to all those involved with habitat creation. At Dungeness, we hope that we could soon join this exclusive club. However, we fear that an expanded airport will be allowed to use safety rules to prevent us improving habitats in a way that will encourage more birds, like bitterns, to use the area. It is ludicrous to think that the unnecessary expansion of an airport could prevent effective management of one of the country's most important places for wildlife."

Dr Mark Avery, the RSPB's Conservation Director, added: "We should be encouraged that the bittern is showing signs of recovery and we must not let this bird slip through our grasp. Dungeness presents another fantastic opportunity to enhance the status of this rare bird in the UK. We should not be forced to turn our backs on this by the expansion of an airport that nobody seems to want and that certainly is not needed."

1 September 2007: London Ashford Airport not supported in local plan

The Keep the Marsh Alliance (KMSA) has welcomed the news that the Draft South East Plan as it stands does not support the proposed expansion of Lydd Airport (London Ashford Airport). The South East Plan is a document drawn up by the South East England Regional Assembly, in conjunction with Government Office of the South East. It forms the backbone of regional planning guidance, and sets out a framework for the region until 2026.

The plan has already had substantial consultation, and the draft version has now been sent to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (previously the ODPM) for review.

Currently, the planning applications submitted by Lydd Airport for expansion are with Shepway District Council. The KMSA is pressing for the applications to be "called in" for public inquiry. KMSA notes that the UK is the only country in the world potentially planning for a 3 fold increase in aviation, as outlined in the Transport White Paper of 2003 (1). Aviation growth is unsustainable- research has shown that if aviation is left to grow unchecked, it will account for all of the UK's carbon dioxide emissions by 2050 (2). Carbon dioxide is one of the principal greenhouse gases responsible for human induced climate change.

Notes:

(1) Stewart, J. (2007). Chair of UK Noise Association; Transport 2000 &HACAN Clearskies. Quiet Please, pp 6-10 in The Guardian, supplement 31.01.07. Guardian News & Media Ltd, Manchester.

(2) Cairns, S. & Newson, C. (2006). Predict & Decide- Aviation, Climate Change & UK Policy- Final Report. Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford.

31 August 2007: Another thumbs down to Lydd

28 August 2007: Lib Dem green plans welcomed

Liberal Democrat proposals unveiled today aimed at making the UK carbon neutral by 2050, have been welcomed by Friends of the Earth.

Friends of the Earth director, Tony Juniper said:

"We are delighted that the Liberal Democrats have come up with a range of progressive policies aimed at making the UK carbon neutral by 2050. The leadership must now increase pressure on the other main parties to follow suit.

"New policies are urgently needed to cut UK emissions, which have risen under Labour despite promises of substantial cuts. This must include strengthening Government proposals for a new climate change law. Politicians from all parties must insist that it includes international aviation and leads to a cut in UK carbon dioxide emissions of at least three per cent every year."

26 August 2007: Aircraft Noise: a significant risk to the public in Kent

Airport expansion should be stopped on public health grounds. A large amount of research indicates damage to the intellectual development of children exposed to high levels of aircraft noise (1).

The World Health Organization has recently emphasised "the striking contribution of noise to premature deaths from disease" (2). Kent Green Party is calling for airport expansion at Lydd, Manston, Biggin Hill, Heathrow and elsewhere to be stopped on public health grounds. Steve Dawe comments:

"If a household was guilty of the prolonged loud noise of typical aircraft late at night, its inhabitants could expect a visit from the Police. However, if noise is made from the overflight of aircraft, those disturbed by it are not protected by law. Instead, aircraft may disrupt our sleep and make our working days more difficult, with the most serious effects upon children's concentration and ability to learn.

"Since we already know that aviation is the fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions in Europe as well(3), the noise factor provides another reason to curb airport expansion. Kent Green Party will continue to argue for minor airports like Lydd and Manston to be converted to leisure uses and housing. People have a right to sleep and a right to be able to peacefully live and work without major noise disturbances. We will continue to press decision-makers to withdraw the £9 billion subsidy to civil aviation each year and to protect the public from irresponsible aviation expansion."

Notes:

(1). Children are a high-risk group vulnerable to the effects of chronic aircraft noise exposure Birmingham Airport anti-noise group: http://www.bhamantinoise.org.uk/Noise_effects.htm Also: S. Stansfeld, M. Haines, & B. Brown (2000): Noise and Health in the Urban Environment. Reviews on Environmental Health 15, p43-82;

M. Haines, S. Stansfeld, R. Job, B. Berglund and J. Head (2001a): Chronic aircraft noise exposure, stress responses, mental health and cognitive performance in school children. Psychological Medicine 31, p265-277;

M. Haines, S. Stansfeld, S. Brentnall, J. Head, B. Berry, M. Jiggins & S. Hygge (2001b): The West London Schools Study: the effects of chronic aircraft noise exposure on child health. Psychological Medicine 31, p1385-1396;

M. Haines, S. Stansfeld, R. Job, B. Berglund & J. Head (2001c): A follow-up study of effects of chronic noise exposure on child stress responses and cognition. International Journal of Epidemiology 30, p839-845.

(2). Noise and WHO: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs258/en/ as reported in: www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/08/23/noise123.xml and www.guardian.co.uk/medicine/story/0,,2154289,00.html

(3). S. Cairns and C. Newson Predict and Decide: aviation, climate change and UK policy Environmental Change Institute, Oxford University (2006); European Federation for Transport and Environment & Climate Action Network Europe Clearing the Air: the myth and reality of aviation and climate change (2006).

15 August 2007: Climate Camp rocks aviation industry

Kent Green Party officers Hazel and Steve Dawe, and Hazel's daughter Stella Peyerl (1), visited the Heathrow Camp for Climate Action on Tuesday. The Camp is on the proposed site of a third runway for Heathrow: its construction would involve demolishing housing in two villages and re-housing about 1000 people. The week long camp, now well-established with its own water supply, electricity from wind turbines and solar panels, several kitchens, children's play area and a variety of site offices and meeting spaces in marquees, has already achieved its main objective (2). News media from five continents have covered the Camp, emphasizing the link between aviation and climate change as never before. Attempts to smear these efforts by some elements in the media have been rebutted (3).

Steve Dawe comments: "The Government spends about £9 billion a year subsidizing air travel and is committed to airport expansion despite noise and pollution. Aviation is the fastest growing source of emissions: if divided out between households, aviation emissions are now about one third of each household's emissions on average(4). This means more holidays in the UK and by rail to Europe are essential."

Hazel Dawe says: "We are concerned about increasing pressures to expand Manston and Lydd in Kent if uncontrolled expansion continues to be Government policy. Recent Government policy changes suggest a general move away from rational environmental policies (5)."

Stella Peyerl, 21 said: "It was brilliant. It had all the organization and atmosphere of the best festivals I've been to, but none of the mess!"

Notes:

(1) Respectively, Chair and Press Officer, Kent Green Party.

(2) The Camp is organised by the Campaign Against Climate Change a variety of other groups and individuals. See: www.campaigncc.org

(3) The Camp is taking the Evening Standard to the Press Complaints Commission over false allegations.

(4) See: Hillman, Fawcett, Rajan The Suicidal Planet: how to prevent global climate catastrophe (2007), for ideas on immediate actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions;

See: Cairns and Newson (Environmental Change Institute, Oxford University) Predict and Decide: aviation, climate change and UK policy (2006), for a comprehensive critique of the Government's aviation policies and assumptions;

See: European Federation for Transport and Environment Clearing the Air: the myth and reality of aviation and climate change (2006), for a considered rejection of arguments offered by the aviation industry in its own defence.

(5)The Cabinet Committee on Climate Change has been downgraded; civil servants are looking for ways to avoid the EU's renewable energy targets; comprehensive advice on urban policies by the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution (March 2007) has been significantly ignored in the Government's subsequent Housing Green Paper and Planning Green Paper. A recent review on Government policies on biodiversity suggested they need a complete overhaul and new funding.

22 June 2007: Local Airport Campaigners Take Heart From Coventry

The Keep the Marsh Alliance (KMSA) has expressed its delight at the news that proposed expansion at Coventry Airport has been thrown out following a Public Inquiry. The KMSA is one of the leading groups opposing the plans to expand London Ashford Airport (Lydd).

The Government has refused the application for a new passenger terminal at Coventry designed to serve 2 million passengers a year. Rob Ryan, Chair of the KMSA commented "There are very strong parallels between the expansion planned for Coventry and what is planned here in Shepway at Lydd Airport. We are taking heart from the fact the Coventry plans were called in by the Government and were rejected, in large part on environmental grounds".

The KMSA are calling for the plans to expand Lydd Airport to be called in just like the plans for Coventry were. KMSA notes that the UK is the only country in the world potentially planning for a 3 fold increase in aviation, as outlined in the Transport White Paper of 2003 (1). Aviation growth is simply unsustainable- research has shown that if aviation is left to grow unchecked, it will account for all of the UK's carbon dioxide emissions by 2050 (2). Carbon dioxide is one of the principal greenhouse gases responsible for human induced climate change.

(1) Stewart, J. (2007). Chair of UK Noise Association; Transport 2000 &HACAN Clearskies. Quiet Please, pp 6-10 in The Guardian, supplement 31.01.07. Guardian News & Media Ltd, Manchester.

(2) Cairns, S. & Newson, C. (2006). Predict & Decide- Aviation, Climate Change & UK Policy- Final Report. Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford.

21 May 2007:Response to KMSA from the office of David Cameron: Leader of the Opposition

KMSA have received a response to their letter of 24 April to David Cameron. The KMSA letter asked for Mr Cameron to convince local Conservative MP Michael Howard to listen to the views of local residents and come out against the Airport Runway extension.

The letter from David Cameron's office, dated 21 May, reads:

Thank you so much for writing to David Cameron - he's asked me to thank you and to say that he appreciated what you have to say.

David Cameron is grateful to you for bringing your concerns over the proposed expansion of Lydd airport to his attention and has carefully noted your comments.

Thank you again for writing.

Yours sincerely,

Ian Philps, Office of the Leader of the Opposition

The original letter to David Cameron from KMSA on 24 April 2007 in full:

Dear Mr Cameron,

Re: LAA, planning application nos. Y06/1648/SH & Y06/1647/SH (lodged with Shepway District Council).

We are writing to you with reference to the proposed expansion of London Ashford Airport (LAA), (Lydd), in south-east Kent, which falls into the constituency of Folkestone & Hythe, where the Rt. Hon. Michael Howard, Q.C. sits as MP.

We represent The Keep the Marsh Special Alliance (KMSA), consisting of an alliance between Shepway Liberal Democrats, Shepway Friends of the Earth, Kent Green Party, local residents, and the Kent branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England.

Our main reason for writing is that we cannot presently see how our MP can support limited expansion of this airport in light of current Conservative Environmental & Aviation Policy.

Your Environment Secretary, Peter Ainsworth, was quoted stating at the Conservative Party Conference last autumn that "we must get rid of the contradictions", i.e. "it's no good ministers bleating about climate change and then supporting a trebling of airport capacity...that's nonsense". In the Quality of Life Challenge, the Conservative website mentions that a 60% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 (as favoured by the government), is not sufficient to keep within the critical 2 ºC threshold, and argue for an 80% cut.

As you may be aware, Mr Howard supports limited expansion of LAA, but believes this decision should be made at a public inquiry. "I have reached the view that the adverse consequences for a number of my constituents do not outweigh the wider benefits which airport expansion would bring…if the decision were mine I would decide in favour of the proposals."

Although the current planning applications (a runway extension & new passenger terminal building), concern operational capacity reaching 500,000 passengers per annum (ppa), LAA's long-term aim (which is clearly stated by them), is to reach 2 million ppa, comparable in size to a regional airport such as Cardiff.

In his weekly column in a local newspaper, The Folkestone Herald on 22nd February 2007, Mr Howard commented "that there is an argument that because Lydd is closer to the Continent, the effect on carbon emissions if people fly from Lydd could actually be beneficial." We beg to differ, especially if LAA intends to run internal domestic services to places such as Manchester, Edinburgh and Plymouth, as the flight would actually be of greater distance in these circumstances (in comparison to flying to these destinations from present London Airports such as Gatwick or Heathrow). Mr Howard has also asked for a compensation scheme to be drawn up for residents that would be affected detrimentally by the expansion (similar to the one he negotiated for residents affected by the Channel Tunnel development). This is surely indicative of his support for this airport to grow.

He agrees with us that the decision should not be made by Shepway District Council, because of the wider implications of expansion on neighbouring districts, and would like it to be "called in" (go to a public inquiry). However, we want the planning applications to be rejected at a public inquiry, not approved as he would like.

The Chief Executive of our local business chamber, The Channel Chamber of Commerce has referred to us, and other local opponents as "the rent-a-mob antis" and "an extremely vocal nimby minority". We however do not believe this to be the case, and see the support of aviation expansion nationally beginning to wane.

We are not Nimbys. The organisations that form our alliance be they political or non-political, have national identities and membership, such as CPRE.

Additionally, the RSPB is a major landholder in the area and has been fighting this expansion alongside the Alliance from the start. The RSPB has more than 1 million members in the UK (more than all of the UK's political party's membership combined), and is the largest conservation charity in Europe.

We are not simply objecting to these planning applications because we have nothing better to do. We are not a small minority of "eco-warriors". We are ordinary people, leading ordinary lives trying to stand up for what we believe in. All over the country, from Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted, Luton, to Exeter, Birmingham and Bristol people are mobilising and coming together forming groups just like the KMSA to fight airport expansion.

A poll last month carried out by The Folkestone Herald found that of the 1178 who posted their comments back, 78% objected to the expansion of LAA. Although this was not scientific, a more representative referendum held on the 4th April in New Romney & Lydd highlighted that 2/3 of residents are against the proposed expansion (referenda turnout of approximately 33% of the electorate). Could you persuade Mr Howard to listen to his constituents?

Aviation is the fastest growing source of carbon dioxide emissions. If the industry is allowed to expand, as set out by this Government, the UK will be unable to meet its CO2 emissions targets. This isn't just about economics, it's about people's lives, it's about the conservation and sustainable use of the planet's resources for present and future generations.

Yours sincerely,

Malcolm Dyer, Chair of KMSA, & on behalf of local residents

Cllr Lynne Beaumont, on behalf of Shepway Liberal Democrats

Barrie Botley, on behalf of Shepway Friends of the Earth

Rob W Ryan, on behalf of Kent Green Party

Jim Little, on behalf of Kent CPRE

11 January 2007: Kayleigh Joins the KMSA Campaigners

The Kent Messenger group newspapers report on the youngest supporter Kayleigh is just 4 years old!) joining the KMSA leafleting across Romney Marsh, protesting against the aircraft noise that kept her awake before Christmas. Kayleigh fears that the noise will become a permanent feature if Lydd Airport is expanded.

9 January 2007: LAA Submit Planning Applications to Expand Airport

At last London Ashford Airport (Lydd) has formally submitted the long awaited planning applications relating to airport expansion. Two major planning applications have been filed with Shepway Council, to transform their runway to handle large jets, (Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 size), by adding 294 metres to it's length, plus another 150 metre starter extension and to erect a brand new terminal building and car parking to handle an initial 500,000 passengers annually.

The airport has freely said that they aspire to handle up to 2 million passengers in the medium term.

The KMSA is committed to fighting these proposals. However, we need your help NOW as never before! This is what you can do:

Please write to Shepway District Council (or email planning@shepway.gov.uk) at the Civic Centre, Castle Hill Avenue, Folkestone CT20 2QY and set out your objections.
Please write to the Government Office of the South East (or email shafkat.khan@gose.gsi.gov.uk), again setting out your objections and requesting that the Government hold a Public Inquiry into this matter.

The Council has indicated that there will be a period of 6 weeks consultation on this vital matter – if you have a view you must write in now.

Copies of the planning applications and related documents will be available to view in council offices, on the web site (applications Y06/1647/SH and Y06/1648/SH) and at the exhibitions and presentations.

The applications are likely to take between three and six months to assess and will then be presented to full council for consideration.

2 January 2007: Birdwatch magazine report on threat to Dungeness Reserves

The national Birdwatch magazine reports on the proposed expansion to Lydd Airport and the threat to the Dungeness RSPB Reserves.

20 December 2006: LAA Submit Planning Applications to Expand Airport

29 August 2006: English Nature Extend SSSI to Lydd Airport Borders

English Nature has thrown down the gauntlet in the fight to save Romney Marsh, by consolidating and expanding and consolidating their eight existing Sites of Special Scientific Interest into a massive 9137.06 hectares of protected landscape, completely surrounding Lydd Airport.

Lydd Airport cannot expand into a multi-million passenger capacity regional airdrome unless they can extend their runway over portions of this protected land. They must contest the experts at English Nature who have extensively studied and evaluated the intrinsic natural value of these contested acres, both during the current four month Public Consultation Period which empowers landowners and categories of affected parties to either make representations or file objections to the new SSSI, to English Nature and at the inevitable Local Public Inquiry, which would follow any runway extension planning application, which the airport might file with the local planning authority, (Shepway District Council), in the coming months.

Lydd Airport Managing Director, Zaher Deir said:

"As a result of ongoing consultations with English Nature we have taken it's proposals into account when preparing our environmental impact assessment."

He also conceded that now they have a real "problem." Yes we agree, they certainly have!

29 October 2005: Caroline Lucas MEP backs Lydd Airport Protest

Caroline Lucas, Green Party Member of the European Parliament for the South East, joined us in a protest event at Folkestone Town Centre on Friday 28th October.

She handed members of the public with 'ear-defenders' (as a symbolic gesture against massive jet aircraft noise) and explained to them the vital issues at stake and that a great many signed our Petition.

At the Shepway Civic Centre she was met be a Council Representative to whom she presented ear-defenders destined for every member of the Development Control Committee, together with a letter from us.

The Chairman, Councillor T Buss was left in no doubt of our case, being the recipient of a metre long scroll of our demands, together with ear-defenders the size of buggy-wheels.

30 September 2005: Keep the Marsh Special Alliance Formed

In September 2005 we formed an alliance of three: the Shepway Liberal Democrats, the Shepway Friends of The Earth and the Shepway Green Party in order to galvanize opposition to the massive expansion plans of Lydd Airport (also known as London Ashford Airport).

Do we stand by and allow the unique heritage of Romney Marsh to become merely the pages of the historic record, or, do we act today to save this wonderful natural landscape for tomorrow?.

Mankind is only too adept at destroying his natural surroundings. It has reached the point where the very climate of the planet is affected. It is ironic that the rich wildlife and internationally acclaimed ecology of Romney Marsh is largely the product of human endeavour over the past 1000 years.

We have created something wonderful. A rich agricultural landscape and lovely coastline. Now it is time to acknowledge the achievements of past generations and pass them on to those as yet unborn.

KEEP THE MARSH SPECIAL ALLIANCE - for Romney Marsh, for people, for nature, for the future.