LYDD Airport will submit planning applications next month for a runway extension and new terminal building.

The announcement was made at a public meeting when managing director Zak Deir brought residents up to date on plans.

More than 100 people at the meeting heard that an environmental impact assessment has been completed as well as studies on traffic impact and flood risk.

The airport’s firefighting service and air traffic control facilities have been upgraded.

Two planning applications will be submitted to Shepway District Council.

One will be for a 294m runway extension, bringing it to 1,799m, plus 150m as a starter extension. The other application is for a replacement terminal building to hold up to 500,000 passengers.

Mr Deir said if permission was refused it would not stop the airport developing.

He said: “If the council refuses our application we cannot progress with our development as fast as we would like and all the benefits arising from it would be slowed down accordingly.”

But Mr Deir said if plans were rejected he would ask for a public inquiry, which could take up to two years. Another possibility would be for the plans to be called in by the Secretary of State for a decision.

The airport chief told residents flight paths over Dymchurch, Greatstone and Lydd could not be avoided.

It is hoped future destinations will include Amsterdam, Dublin, Prague, Malaga and Geneva.

The airport is making a loss of £2.5m a year but Mr Deir said the development would also help the wider business community. He added: “There will be an increase in demand for local businesses.

“People will invest in Romney Marsh and this will give more power to residents and boost tourism and transport links.”

Liberal Democrat campaigner Peter Carroll said if people consider the Romney Marsh a special place they should not support expansion of the airport.

He said: “If we believe the Marsh is a unique environmental area then it is unthinkable to put a regional airport on it.

“It will turn into a huge car park and create a similar feel to Stansted. Is that what we really want for Romney Marsh? If this goes ahead it will ruin the lives of people living here.”

Lydd High Street bed and breakfast owner Sue Ashworth said she did not want planes flying over her house and she felt information given to residents had been misleading.

She said: “We were told at a previous meeting the Lydd Ranges close at 4pm and after that planes will be able to fly over them.

“This is very misleading because they don’t close until 11pm so we could be getting flights over Lydd late at night.”