by political editor Paul Francis

Kent County Council has played down the appointment of leading architect Sir Terry Farrell to a group examining how a floating Thames Estuary airport could become a reality.

Sir Terry has also been appointed by Kent County Council - which has roundly condemned plans for ‘Boris Island’ - to help develop its own regeneration masterplan covering the next 20 years.

Last week, London Mayor Boris Johnson appointed the renowned architect to a steering group considering the feasibility of building the airport.

Cllr Kevin Lynes (Con), KCC cabinet member for regeneration, said he hoped Sir Terry’s appointment did not "raise problems" given his public pronouncements on the airport plan.

"I have heard Terry Farrell in the past speak in public forums saying that he did not think ‘Boris Island’ was a particularly good idea for various reasons. Certainly, the work he has done for us [suggests] we should look at the capacity of what we have got already. From the work he has done, I was fairly clear that he was certainly not the greatest fan of an estuary airport," he said.

Sir Terry was independent and free to accept any commissions he wanted, he added.

"I hope there is nothing that causes us problems. My hope is that having spent time in Kent, he appreciates more keenly our views."

Sir Terry said: "I have supported the mayor’s airport initiative as it brings together highly experienced individuals who could help form and lead this debate, though I believe that whether there is a new estuary airport or not is only one part of this bigger view."

The debate about the airport plan would allow "the debate on the estuary’s broader planning to be enhanced", he added.

KCC’s regeneration strategy, under the title "Unlocking Kent’s Potential" sets out a range of ideas on transport, the economy and climate change.