My apologies for my late reply to your letter. I have read the reply you have received from our candidate for the Marsh ward - Doug Suckling. He is a resident who will be closely affected by the proposed expansion of the airport and he is in favour of 'letting the people decide'.This would be ideal if only people would excercise their right to vote and use it. Referendums and surveys to date only reveal what a small proportion of the residents feel - albeit that the majority of the samples to date have shown that the majority do not want to see the airport develop further.
In my view there are economic benefits for the district should the expansion take place - not just in the number of jobs that may be created in the airport itself but in the creation of jobs in outside catering, supplies and the attraction of new businesses to the area which may create further opportunities for our young people. The road and rail services would need to be improved to cater for all this increased activity.
However - no development of this nature will happen without inconvenience to residents - through noise, additional traffic and pollution. The effect of these factors need to be examined in detail and balanced with the benefits of the project. A Public Enquiry would undertake this excercise but their decision can only be the right one if all residents co operate and contribute their views.
Recent events have shown that this is unlikely to happen.

Regarding the proposal to build a Dungeness C Power Station - the council has for a number of years undertaken comprehensive sea defence works along the Shepway coast (currently working at Dymchurch) - and my understanding is that the works will continue as far as Dungeness.Whilst the works may not last for 150 years I am sure they will contain the water for at least the lifetime of any new reactor!
Yours Sincerely
Wendy Mitchell
Labour Candidate - Folkestone Harbour Ward.