Ascension : ST HELENA AIR ACCESS PROJECT UPDATE
Submitted by The Islander (Islander Internet Editor) 26.06.2008 (Article Archived on 10.07.2008)

As you are aware from previous press releases and other activities, the planning permission application for the airport development was submitted to the Governor-in Council on Monday 5th May 2008.

Airport Development Permission

As you are aware from previous press releases and other activities, the planning permission application for the airport development was submitted to the Governor-in Council on Monday 5^th May 2008.  Given the complexity and size of the project and its importance to St Helena, we informed you that we extended the normal 28 day consultation period to 40 days.  This meant that anyone could have written to the Governor-in-Council and raised any issue with regard to the airport development.

During the consultation period, Nigel Kirby, the DFID Access Project Manager and I spent a week on St Helena where we held a series of public meetings around the island to outline the basis of the development permission application, and provide information about the process.  We also displayed a number of graphics which helped you to get a better idea of the development and issued a number of information booklets summarising the key environmental and social impacts and mitigations.

The 40 day consultation period ended at 12 noon on the 16^th June 2008 and we have been informed that a total of four letters regarding the development application were received by the deadline.  Three others were received soon afterwards.

The process is such that the Governor-in-Council will now make a full assessment of the development application and the letters received and make a final decision on whether the application should be approved or not.  We will inform you of the decision once it is known to us.

Negotiations

Following our week on island, Nigel Kirby and I left again to continue negotiations with Basil Read (Johannesburg based) and Impregilo (Milan based).  We have now completed the first round of these negotiations, and are working as quickly as possible towards identifying a preferred bidder.  We will then work towards finalising an acceptable contract and seek Ministerial approval in London.

Clare Harris UK Visit

Clare, our Access Assistant arrived in the UK at the weekend.  DFID kindly agreed to support Clare with her training and development needs in readiness for the demanding times ahead.  Clare will be based in DFID’s Overseas Territories Office in London during her time in the UK.  Her email address in London is:  CD-Harris@dfid.gov.uk

Meanwhile, during our absence, Belinda Beard, SHG’s Shipping Officer, will be the first point of contact for any air access related issues on St Helena.  She can be contacted on Tel/No: 2470 or by email at: shippingofficer@sainthelena.gov.sh.  

Website

Finally, don’t forget that most of the information relating to the airport project can be found on our new website:  www.sainthelenaaccess.com

We look forward to your support as we continue to move forward with the Air Access Project.

Sharon Wainwright

SHG Access Project Manager

23^rd June 2008