A cross-section of the proposed Thames Estuary airport, designed by Lord Foster. Picture: Foster+Partners

by Martin Jefferies and Paul Francis

The government has confirmed it wants to build a new airport in south east England – but stopped short of announcing Kent as its preferred location.

Chancellor George Osborne used his autumn statement to say that a new airport could form part of a series of major infrastructure projects that would galvanise the economy.

Two options for an airport in the Thames Estuary – one by the world-renowned architect Lord Foster and a second by the Mayor of London Boris Johnson – have been put forward so far.

Speaking shortly after the Chancellor's speech, Lord Foster said: "We believe that the economic case for the Thames Hub is compelling as Britain is already losing out to expanding European hubs.

"This is an opportunity to reassert Britain's role as a global hub and an international gateway.

"The Chancellor's autumn statement is very encouraging and a step closer to achieving this goal."

Earlier, Lord Foster released more details about his plan for a £50bn airport on the Isle of Grain, which would be capable of carrying up to 150m passengers a year.

He said that:

• a new nature reserve island could offer new breeding and feeding areas for displaced wildlife.
• the wreck of the SS Richard Montgomery, a Second World War ship packed with explosives, poses no danger, as long as it is not disturbed during construction of the airport.
• the risk of bird strikes on aircraft is not unique to the Thames Estuary and that this risk could be successfullymanaged.
• listed buildings on the Isle of Grain could be included in any new development or dismantled and rebuilt elsewhere.
• investors are willing to support the planning, design, construction and operation of the airport.

The new airport would dwarf Heathrow, with an annual capacity of 150m passengers. Picture: Foster+Partners

On today's announcement by the Chancellor, Michael Fallon, the MP for Sevenoaks, said: "This doesn't mean we're going to build it [an airport in the Thames Estuary].

"But Heathrow is full and Gatwick soon will be. When people put forward proposals to add additional aviation capacity, it makes sense that we look at it."

Meanwhile, Cllr Paul Carter, leader of Kent County Council, said there was a "very good business case" for a new airport but added: "What has to be talked about is the opportunity for an airport on the Essex side of the Thames."

Audio: Cllr Paul Carter, leader of Kent County Council, talks to kmfm about plans for a new airport in the south east

An artist's impression of how a new airport on the Isle of Grain could look. Picture: Foster+Partners

Lord Foster's plans include underground train platforms. Picture: Foster+Partners

Lord Foster says his team have met with a "large number of public and private sector stakeholders" since his plans were unveiled last month.

He insists there is "strong support" for the scheme.

However, Cllr Rodney Chambers, the leader of Medway Council, has labelled the plan "the daftest in a long list of pie in the sky schemes", while the RSPB warned that building the airport would be "an act of environmental vandalism".

Chris Corrigan from the wildlife charity added: "Paving over communities and wildlife is not the way forward. We should be investing in our environment and tackling climate change, building foundations which future generations will thank us for.

"This is a hideous act of hypocrisy by this coalition Government, which campaigned under the promise of being the greenest ever."