COUNCILLORS at Gravesham have announced they will oppose the Government's proposal to build an airport at Cliffe.

The council's Labour Cabinet revealed its intention to stand against the Government at a meeting last night. The move follows announcements by the borough's Conservative group, Gravesham MP Chris Pond and Kent County Council that they will reject plans for the international airport.

The move will delight protest groups who have campaigned since the options for airport expansion in the South East were announced in July. They have criticised the council for not immediately rejecting the plan. Before last night's meeting, the Cabinet said it would only oppose the airport if there was no evidence of sustainable benefit to the area.

Cllr John Loughlin said: "There has been criticism for not making our position clear, but we were advised by a senior civil servant that we should not just say we are opposed - we have to have hard and fast evidence to back up what we are saying.

"There is still information coming in and we hope it will back up our opposition to the airport."

Gravesham leader, Cllr Rosemary Leadley, said the airport did not fit in with the development plans for Kent Thameside or Gravesham. She added: "It was with some dismay that we learnt this would be a serious option for an airport because the impact would be immense. We have looked at the issues and come to the conclusion as a Cabinet that we needed an early comment in opposing it as an option."

Michael Snelling, Leader of Gravesham Conservatives, said after the meeting: "It is pathetic that Gravesham's Cabinet has had to be shamed by the strong public statements by I and my colleagues into stating they oppose any proposal to build an airport by Cliffe."

The Cabinet has recommended that a vote to oppose Cliffe airport should be taken at a meeting of the full council on Tuesday, October 15.