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Archived press release

Local group wins right to appeal to high court against airport expansion

11 October 1999

In a legal first a community group in East Kent has won the right to appeal to the High Court against a decision to convert a former military airbase into a major commercial airport. The decision could also effect other former RAF bases earmarked for regional airport development

The Manston Airport Group has won the right to bring a judicial review of a decision by the local Thanet Council to grant permission for the former airbase to be converted into a major commercial airport. The council had previously refused any formal planning application or environmental assessment of the proposed commercial airport, despite widespread community concern.

Simon McRae, Friends of the Earth's Aviation Campaigner, said:

“We welcome the decision of the High Court to review the appalling decision of Thanet Council to grant approval for a major commercial airport without any formal planning application or environmental assessment. The council have wilfully ignored the concerns of the local community and the impact on the environment”

There are at least 5 former RAF airbases that have been earmarked for conversion to commercial airports. RAF Alconbury near Huntingdon, Bentwaters in Suffolk, Farnborough in Hampshire, Finningley near Doncaster and Northolt in West London. Like Manston developers have also attempted to seek a certificate of lawful use to operate Finningley airbase without the need for a formal planning application.

Simon McRae said:

“The Government is creating a planning nightmare by allowing local authorities to approve the expansion of regional airports which have regional and national implications. It's time for the Government to declare a moratorium on any further major airport expansions' until they publish their new airports policy”