Councilbust

By Shane Croucher

A meeting to discuss Southend airport’s expansion has been postponed following the government’s intervention.

The Joint Area Action Plan meeting was due to take place on February 2nd, but John Denham, the Secretary of State, issued an Article 14 directive to see if he wants a public inquiry into the proposals.

If Mr Denham calls for an inquiry, the expansion, which includes a runway extension and would create 7,300 jobs for the area, could be held up by a year.

Councillor Keith Hudson, Rochford District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Planning and Transportation, said the JAAP meeting postponement had been “necessary” following the Article 14 direction.

He said: “It is extremely important we get an early decision from the Secretary of State, as to my mind it would be a crying shame to miss this golden opportunity to kick start the local economy, in order to capitalise on the potential provided by the Olympics.

“It is hoped that any delay will be kept to a minimum, especially in light of the many redundancies recently announced by some of our local companies.”

John Lamb, Deputy Leader of Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, said: “The review of the Airport planning application by the Secretary of State has clear implications for the Joint Area Action Plan.

“If the Secretary of State were to call in the application and make it the subject of a Public Inquiry the implications for other developments proposed by the JAAP would be serious.”