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Paul Outhwaite from the
RSPB gives his reaction to the airport plan

Lord Foster today said
his controversial plan to build the world's biggest
airport on Kent's Hoo Peninsula would "improve the
quality of life for Londoners".

The world-renowned architect hit
back at local politicians and environment campaigners who claimed
the plan would be a disaster for Kent and is "pie in the
sky".

Lord Foster's proposal
is to build a giant four-runway airport which could
handle 150 million passengers a year.

The founder and chairman of
Foster + Partners said: “These visionary proposals are far from
future fantasy. They are both essential and down to earth.

" it’s ridiculous, they’ve not got a clear proposal…” – mark reckless mp

When you look at the eastwards
thrust of London’s infrastructure, with the Channel Tunnel and the
Olympics, you can see how it would be possible to create a 24-hour
airport.

"This move would greatly improve
the quality of life for Londoners by reducing pollution and
improving security.

"It would also allow London to
compete with rapidly expanding airports in Europe and the Middle
East.

"The arguments are extraordinarily
persuasive and the precedents are also compelling.

"More than 10 years ago Hong Kong
built what was then the world’s largest airport at Chek Lap Kok, an
island reclaimed from the sea - in just four years.”

Mayor of London Boris Johnson, who
has been backing a different scheme for a Thames Estuary
airport, reportedly also described Lord Foster's
plan as "exciting".

He intends to raise the plan with
the Chancellor, George Osborne.

Audio: What the locals -
and visitors - to Grain think of the plans

"My reaction is the same as it was
for the Cliffe Airport plans, we would resist it and the government
has made it clear it has no plans for an airport here.

The leader of Medway Council, Cllr
Rodney Chambers, said: "Our argument against any airport plans
still stands, this is an even bigger pie in the sky idea.

"Not everyone who flies into
Heathrow comes to the South East, people go up North too,
Birmingham’s airport runs at 30 per cent capacity, perhaps a hub
airport in the north would be better."

Mark Reckless,
MP for Rochester and Strood, said: "It’s ridiculous, they’ve not
got a clear proposal."

Foster + Partners have worked with
global infrastructure consultants Halcrow group on
the design.

Board director David Kerr said:
“The Thames Hub would provide a major economic boost for Kent and
Essex, with the creation of hundreds of thousands of jobs over a
number of years and provide noise and air pollution relief for
London’s population.

"The proposals would make a
significant contribution to the UK’s commitment to reduce carbon
emissions.

"If the UK is to remain globally
competitive, these proposals need to be seriously considered.”