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Southend Airport ready to take off after Minister's Approval

Government Minister gives Airport Development Green Light

John Denham, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, has today approved plans to extend the runway at Stobart Group’s London Southend Airport.

The planning application was subject to review by Government after an Article 14 notice was served prior to Southend Council’s Development Control Committee voting 14‐3 in favour of the application in January 2010.

However, their decision was subject to ministerial ratification and after a thorough review the Minister has now given the final go‐ahead for the development.

Alastair Welch, Managing Director of Southend Airport said, "We are incredibly pleased that the project can finally and fully get underway."

The approval will see a 300m south west extension to the runway and the diversion of Eastwoodbury Lane. Works will now get underway as soon as possible to meet the target completion date in 2011.

Work has already started on the new Rail Station and Control Tower which are due to open in Summer 2010 and Spring 2011 respectively.

Alastair Welch added "It is not just about the convenience of a local airport serving popular destinations, it is about the regeneration that this will bring to the wider Southend‐on‐Sea area, with the potential to enable many thousands of additional jobs over the next ten years. This development will make a significant contribution to increasing the attractiveness and prosperity of the South Essex area for businesses, which experts believe will have a positive effect on house and commercial property prices. Southend will also now be able to showcase what it does best in time for the 2012 Olympics."

Andrew Tinkler Chief Executive Officer of Stobart Group said, "This project has been subject to very intense scrutiny, and has the support of the adjoining district councils, a host of local and national bodies, and now the Minister. It has been thoroughly examined and the resounding opinion is that the Southend Airport development is a positive thing for Essex. I am delighted that we can now make these plans a reality."

Find out more at www.flysouthend2012.com

19^{th March 2010}