by Dan Bloom

dbloom@thekmgroup.co.uk

Shepway District Council is due to spend up to £150,000 of taxpayers' money fighting its corner at the government inquiry into Lydd Airport.

Officers' proposals to set aside the sum, for lawyers' fees, consultants and extra staff, were due to be voted on by councillors tonight.

Councillors went against officers' advice in March to approve plans for a new runway and terminal at the airport.

The decision was 'called in' by the Communities and Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles in June.

A report to the full council meeting suggested allocating £100,000 from the council's general fund for 2010/11, to join £50,000 already set aside for the inquiry.

The largest cost by far would be legal fees for the council's barrister Paul Brown, which were estimated at between £50,000 and £80,000.

The total spent to March 15 this year was £96,735, including a £73,705 bill from ecological consultants Bureau Veritas.

These figures did not include salaries for council officers working normal hours.

Preparations are well under way for the inquiry in Folkestone, which will begin on February 15.

Shepway council, the airport's owners, Natural England, the anti-expansion Lydd Airport Action Group (LAAG), Protect Kent and the RSPB will all be among those called to present their cases.

Those in favour, such as Friends of Lydd Airport, say it would create jobs for the area.

The report read: "Wherever possible officers will endeavour to meet the costs of the public inquiry from existing staffing resources.

"The council needs to be legally represented both in terms of preparing its case and at the public inquiry. Paul Brown QC has been instructed due to his detailed knowledge of the case."

But Louise Barton, of LAAG, told the Kentish Express: "The whole thing is a travesty. This was an unlawful decision which went against the will of the people.

"We're not surprised by the amount as Paul Brown is a very good QC, but it just brings to light the amount being squandered by the council.

"This may not even be the end of it. We are dealing with EU environment laws, so there could be an expensive case to fight in Europe, too."

For more stories from Ashford and the surrounding areas, read your Kentish Express.