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Lydd airport
Kent Wildlife Trust's position on Lydd Airport
London Ashford Airport (Lydd Airport), which lies at the heart of the fantastic wildlife habitat of Dungeness, has submitted two planning applications. Both applications threaten the wonderful assemblage of rare wildflowers and insects of this globally unique site, and could result in serious, long-term harm to Romney Marsh's amazing populations of wild birds. The Trust has opposed the applications, working alongside RSPB, CPRE and local campaign groups.
Dungeness is unique. The vast expanse of shingle, and its associated shorelines, ponds, grazing marsh and wetland habitats, supports an astonishing assemblage or rare and threatened wildlife, including important communities of lichens, rare wildlife flowers, and a many unusual insects, including some found nowhere else in the world. The large number and variety of wild birds found at Dungeness is nationally renowned, and attracts nature-lovers from all over the country.
The Lydd Airport expansion proposals have been called in by the Secretary of State for determination by a Planning Inquiry. Kent Wildlife Trust has worked with Natural England, RSPB and others to ensure that the case for wildlife is properly heard.
While the inquiry is still proceeding at the time of writing (3 May 2011), Kent Wildlife Trust has secured concessions from the airport which would ensure the protection of rare insects and rare wild plants if the development does go ahead. The airport has agreed that it would monitor levels of nitrogen pollution as well as monitoring populations of plants and insects, and would take necessary action should populations of the most vulnerable insects and plants decline.
However, Kent Wildlife Trust still has concerns about impacts on Dungeness’s important birds. Evidence is still being heard on this subject, and the Trust will keep a close watch on proceedings.
The website for the Lydd Airport planning inquiry can be found at http://www.shepway.gov.uk/content/view/201040/211/.
