Lydd airport in Kent have confirmed that contractors are due to start work on a £25m renovation of the airport, despite Kent's other airport, Manston, facing closure. We speak to Lydd's executive manager Hani Mutlag about the upgrade plans.
Another legal challenge will be launched today at the High Court against Lydd Airport's expansion.
Campaigners are opposing the plans and say that it is too close to Dungeness power station.
It also comes two days after the RSPB started their separate legal challenge against the plans, as their nature reserve could be disrupted.
The airport is also said to be under one of the largest migratory bird routes in the South.
It was given permission last year for a new terminal building which would be capable of handling up to 500,000 people and an extended runway.
Controversial plans to expand one of the region's airports have been criticised by environmental groups. Tom Savvides reports.
No one wants to stay in a seaside town with great big jumbo jets flying overhead #lyddairport #badidea
The future of big flappy birds (especially gulls and waterfowl) that call Dungeness home is in jeopardy #Lyddairport http://t.co/hA1us2nDju
@robwilliams1973 the impact to the environment will be minimal a lot of scaremongering by the greens with their own agenda #lyddairport
Workers at Lydd airport in Kent have welcomed the news that the airport is to expand. But campaigners say they're not happy. We spoke to Ground operations manager Steve Mallion and Dr Hilary Newport from Protect Kent.
The celebrations continue at Lydd airport after yesterday's announcement that the Secretary of State has given the go-ahead to extend its runway and construct a new terminal building. It means it will be able to handle up to half a million passengers a year.
Executive Manager of Lydd Airport, Hani Mutlaq, talks to ITV reporter Tom Savvides about the airport's expansion plan that has now been approved by the Government.
The Green Party’s MEP for the South East has reacted with dismay after the Government approved the expansion of Lydd airport. Keith Taylor has campaigned against airport expansion at Lydd for a number of years.
– Keith Taylor MEP, South East, Green PartyIt's hugely disappointing that the Government has given the green light for this damaging expansion. The large number of people that requested a public inquiry into the expansion of Lydd airport shows that there are huge concerns about the impact these proposals would have in terms of the increase in pollution for local residents and the threat to important wildlife.
Mr Taylor added that Dungeness peninsula was one of the most important and sensitive wildlife habitats in the UK. The airport’s expansion will have an impact outside the immediate locality, damaging internationally protected wildlife sites.
– Keith Taylor MEP, South East, Green Party“Expansion of services will also increase noise and air pollution and raise greenhouse gas emissions in the area. Such developments would set a dangerous precedent for the rest of the region, and indeed the rest of the UK.
CPRE have reacted to news that the expansion of Lydd Airport has been given the go-head saying it's a decision that will irreversibly damage the wildlife habitat and beautiful landscape unique to the area.
– Neil Sinden, Director of Policy and Campaigns for the Campaign to Protect Rural EnglandThis is a terrible decision which threatens one of the few remaining areas of rural tranquillity in heavily pressured South East, and in a county once proudly described as the Garden of England. And it will not just alarm environmentalists.
There were many in the aviation sector who considered this scheme to be nonsensical and a non-starter. If there are any economic benefits, which is unlikely, they will be heavily outweighed by the environmental damage that it will cause on so many levels. Campaigners are bound to consider all legal options to have this disturbing decision overturned.
Lydd airport expansion approved - we're very disappointed & profoundly concerned for future of one of UK's most important wildlife sites.