The original deadline for the Consulation Period to end was at the end of November 2002, with all parties gearing their campaigns towards that date, However, following a High Court Challenge by the Kent (Cliffe) campaign there was a ruling made that the situation with Gatwick Airport must form part of the overall review, and so the consulation deadlines were extended by a further 8-9 months into August 2003 – which in turn meant that any final decision on which approach might be preferred was not likely much before the end of 2003. Although much of the work already done remained vital, the biggest impact was extending the period of uncertainty, something that prevented villagers making plans, selling properties or investing locally as they waited 12 months to know their fate.
A report in the Rugby Advertiser gave the viewpoint of the Anti Rugby Airport Campaign.
Rugby Advertiser – Report by Louie Hadley – 5th December 2002
THE blight on thousands of homes across Rugby caused by the threat of an international airport being built in Church Lawford will continue for at least another year.
Campaigners against the proposal had hoped last week’s consultation deadline would herald the beginning of the end of the government’s plans.
But, following the High Court’s ruling that expansion of Gatwick should be included in plans for aviation in the UK, the consultation period has been put back to August 2003.
That means the White Paper on aviation expansion, which includes the Rugby proposal and was due out in late spring, will probably not now surface until 2004. Cllr. Gordon Collett (Con, Leam Valley) Chairman of the Anti Rugby Airport Committee, described the development as a ‘disaster.’
“This is the worst result of all for Rugby,” he said. “I’ll be extremely surprised if we get a decision next year at all. “
“That means the thousands of people who are directly affected will continue to be blighted. It’s a disaster as far as we’re concerned.”
Rugby MP Andy King said Rugby now faced an ‘appalling situation’.
“This is terrible news and a bitter blow,” he said. “It’s entirely to do with Gatwick, and Kent’s local authority has a lot of explaining to do. If they felt Gatwick should have been included in the aviation proposals, they should have raised their concerns back in July.
He added: “I’m very angry. We had done so well in persuading every organisation, from parish councils to regional assemblies, to unite against Rugby airport. “Now we’re in this appalling situation but we must continue fighting.”
Cllr. Collett said the situation with Gatwick airport was a ‘fiasco’ and added he would be calling on Rugby Borough Council to urge the Government to make a speedy decision on Rugby. He said: “We’ve got a real challenge on our hands now because it will be extremely difficult to sustain people’s support against the airport.”
ARAC will be meeting in Rugby Town Hall, Evreux Way, on December 13th to discuss what to do next.