London Ashford Airport submits expansion plans
29.03.06
Planning applications have been submitted for a new passenger terminal and extended runway at London Ashford Airport (Lydd). The proposals include plans to accommodate 500,000 passengers a year and offer flights further afield than at present.
The plans include a £3m runway extension - from 1505m (4938ft) to 1799m (5902ft) - that would mean bigger planes could use the airport, travelling to a greater range of destinations. The proposed new terminal building is subject to two separate planning applications, each covering the two phases of building development.
Opponents of the plan say there are environmental hazards, as well as a nuclear risk posed by power stations at Dungeness. Other fears concern possible noise pollution and environmental damage on the Romney Marsh.
However the airport say that there had been extensive work on an Environmental Impact Assessment, described as a 'blueprint of the development', that looks at environment, traffic and wildlife issues.
The expansion is planned in stages, with a capacity of two million passengers a year ultimately earmarked for the airport terminal. A public consultation is planned now that the applications are in the hands of Shepway District Council.
Over the past three years more than £20m has been spent on helping to transform London Ashford Airport (Lydd) into a modern regional airport. This has included investment in resurfacing the runway, upgrading instrument landing systems, the creation of an aircraft parking apron covering a 13 acre site, a new air traffic control system and new VIP terminal, as well as new departure and arrival facilities for commercial traffic and establishing offices for Immigration and Customs.
For more information about LAA's development plans, e-mail frontdesk@lydd-airport.co.uk, call 01797 322411 or visit www.lydd-airport.co.uk.
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