News

Howard's Way.... a weekly column from the Rt. Hon. Michael Howard QC. MP. 

3 April 2008

Last Thursday night I chaired a meeting at Lydd Airport about the airport’s expansion plans. The purpose of the meeting was to listen to the objections of various bodies who have opposed the plans – Natural England, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and others.

Disappointingly none of them turned up. But others who objected did, as well as many supporters. So a useful debate was had even if the original intention was not fulfilled.

On Friday I started with a visit to St John’s Church in Folkestone to see Anthony Buckley, the Vicar and David Donald, one of the Church Wardens. They told me about the most impressive work the Church is carrying out in the local community. One service I had not come across before is the Parish Nurse, Linda Richards, a registered nurse with over 10 years experience, holds a weekly surgery in Broadmead Village and carries out home visits. Linda can be contacted on 07748 752448.

I then met the Chief Operating Officer of Eurotunnel and its UK Director of Public Affairs to discuss Eurotunnel’s concerns about the Government’s E-Borders proposals. I took the opportunity to urge upon the company the need for it to resume the kind of profile it had in our community before the recent French takeover. They assured me it would. We shall see what happens.

On Friday afternoon I had one of my regular meetings with the police in Folkestone. Following the move of Superintendent Steve Harris to Headquarters at Maidstone as Acting Assistant Chief Constable, Superintendent Debbie Doe has taken over responsibility locally. I was able to discuss many local issues with her and Inspector Ivan Pickering whom I had last seen some years ago, playing football for Folkestone at Cheriton Road.

On Saturday, after my Elham Valley advice centres, I chaired a meeting in Sellindge to discuss the proposals for a lorry park to relieve Operation Stack, at a site between the railway and the M20 between Aldington and Sellindge and also the planning application which has been submitted for a recycling plant at Otterpool Quarry.

Disappointingly no-one from Kent County Council came along to explain these proposals despite my request for them to do so. But local County Councillor Susan Carey and District Councillor Jenny Hollingsbee were there to declare their opposition to the plans.

It was a very well-attended meeting and the many points made will help

me and the councillors to ask the right questions in order to represent our constituents and their views.

All in all it was quite a busy weekend!