MP Amess ‘disappointed’ by lack of public inquiry (From Echo)
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MP Amess ‘disappointed’ by lack of public inquiry
1:56pm Tuesday 23rd March 2010 in News
AN MP has expressed disappointment plans to extend the runway at Southend Airport will not be go to a public inquiry.
Southend West Tory MP David Amess had wanted the controversial plans decided by a Government-appointed planning inspector who would examine arguments for and against.
But on Friday, John Denham, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, announced he was happy to go along with Southend Council’s decision to approve the plans.
Mr Amess said: “I have always believed the only fair way to address local residents’ concerns was through the mechanism of a public inquiry with an independent chairman.
“No doubt people living locally who had wished for a public inquiry will also be very disappointed with this news.
“My clear duty now is to ensure any developments at the airport do not damage the quality of the lives of the people who live under the flight paths, and that is what I intend to do.”
The council’s Lib Dem leader Graham Longley said he was glad the result had come through quickly but he would like more restrictions on night flights.
He said: “We recognise the benefits economically for residents, but we as a group will be looking at the airport lease, which is coming up soon, and will be looking for a restricted night usage.”
Comments(18)
152
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2:04pm Tue 23 Mar 10
karen29 wrote:Or a police inquiry.
I bet the resdets of Southend are disappointed about the lack of a public enquiry. A public enquiry into your expenses and foreign travel.
frank & monty
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2:05pm Tue 23 Mar 10
j-w
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2:09pm Tue 23 Mar 10
EX MP Amess ‘disappointed’ by Lack of Votes.
Nebs
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2:10pm Tue 23 Mar 10
frank & monty wrote:Don't you mean the Madlives?
A longer runway may enable direct flights to the Maldives...
Max Impact
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3:26pm Tue 23 Mar 10
They have already cut it from 900+ to 120+ per month does Longley really want Stobarts to walk away from the airport more cut will effect the profitability of it.
This guy really needs to start thinking whats best for Southend jobs and not whats best for himself.
openspace
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4:03pm Tue 23 Mar 10
Max Impact wrote:Basically agree with your comments but have to admit, it's nice to see at leastsome level of cross party agreement,( even if not in the fine detail), not just the usual opposition to everything proposed by other parties.
"The council’s Lib Dem leader Graham Longley said he was glad the result had come through quickly but he would like more restrictions on night flights. " They have already cut it from 900+ to 120+ per month does Longley really want Stobarts to walk away from the airport more cut will effect the profitability of it. This guy really needs to start thinking whats best for Southend jobs and not whats best for himself.
evilc
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8:18pm Tue 23 Mar 10
karen29 wrote:Amess go back to Basildon as an MP you obviously are not interested in the local plans.
I bet the resdets of Southend are disappointed about the lack of a public enquiry. A public enquiry into your expenses and foreign travel.
emcee
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11:38pm Tue 23 Mar 10
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This comment is, of course, only relevant if Amess is still the MP for Southend West after the election. After his expenses fiasco, and now the Maldives fiasco, Basildon and Southend West constituents would be mad to elect such a slimeball back into office. Let us hope, for their sake, they do not.
Robtin
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8:44am Wed 24 Mar 10
He has never really considered the public and only found us as a use for a good life style and lucrative meal ticket.
Real World
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9:16am Wed 24 Mar 10
Stobarts should pull the reigns in on their collaborators.
BASILBRUSH
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9:40am Wed 24 Mar 10
Real World wrote:What are you talking about real world?
It's just been confirmed. I for one will make sure that people who are considering flying from Southend Airport in the future see the disgusting comments from locals who maybe working in the airport in the future. Why would you want to give your business to people like this.
Stobarts should pull the reigns in on their collaborators.
People have just been making comments about Amess. Not surprising following recent news events. Personally I think he should step down as MP. He represents the worst stereotype. But thats my own opinion.
Perhaps you should reflect on the comments made about certain councillors, the council in general, Stobart Group etc etc. By the (small) amount of people that have been against improvement at the airport and the town, before trying (yet again) to slur anyone that comments for improvements.
This is a public forum, if people comment for or against it doe's not mean they have any actual link to a particular organisation.
geezer, innit
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11:17am Wed 24 Mar 10
Until you mend your ways you can keep your head down and your mouth shut!
wakering realist
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8:52pm Wed 24 Mar 10
BASILBRUSH
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9:12pm Wed 24 Mar 10
wakering realist wrote:I'm sorry but if you count the 0.9% of the population of Southend and Rochford area that responded and objected, a majority against. When Antis are always going to be vocal. Then I suggest you should go back to basic maths.
Most of the comments are ignoring the subject and sinking into MP abuse. Take it as read that MP's of all parties are a load of free loading, snouts in the trough untrustworthy crooks and councillors are the same. The article is about the disasterous expansion of the airport first being nodded through by the Southend & Rochford tory taleban & the decision not being challenged by the MP's for hire national labour party. The point in question is that the expansion goes against the declared environmental policies of local councils & national govt, airport useage, local infrastructure and the residents wishes. Before the rabid expansionists reach for their keyboards, the vast majority of those who replied to the so called public consultation were against expansion. Those who couldn't be bothered - the so called 'silent majority' claimed to exist by the pro airport cannot be counted as would be the case in any election. Democracy = the will of the majority. Something that doesn't exist in S.E. Essex.
Nobody knows how the 99.1% would have commented. But they didn't which suggests they are not that concerned about the effects of expansion, positive or negative.
vanilla ice
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5:42pm Thu 25 Mar 10
upset
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7:11pm Thu 25 Mar 10
BASILBRUSH
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6:47am Sun 28 Mar 10
vanilla ice wrote:Whenever I have asked anyone if they are for the airport they have said yes. Most have a story of using it in the past.
If you ask people if they wanted the Airport expansion most say no, if you then ask did you object most will say they did not receive any information about it so didn’t now what to do, and those that did know, say it wasn’t worth the trouble as it was already a done deal and had already been agreed to by corrupt politicians at the council so what the point, and they may have been proved right. It’s a strange thing when you say why couldn’t we have a referendum on it, as it would be fair and democratic but the reply is it would cost to much and the trouble getting it organized and would be far to complicated for the voters, but when it comes to elections there’s no such problem, as now its in there interest and then hey presto the electorate seem to regain there voting senses and when asked, can handle multiple forms and choices. But that’s the price you have to pay when you live in a democracy.
As for information, it was Denis the Menace and friends that whinged and had the information leaflets sent out a second time. The leaflets that everyone I spoke too had received.
Not least read about, or seen the spreads in the local rags.
Even after the Article 14 was put on and subsequently lifted you talk of corruption and done deals, so in your eyes why have a referendum or public inquiry?
It's clear that you don't accept results that don't go your way.
karen29 says...
2:00pm Tue 23 Mar 10