D&T - I agree that the cost of cat 2 provision is now probably prohibitive - however, had it been a consideration at the time the extension was designed and the starter strips laid down, in the over all scheme of things, it might not have been. I'll let you figure it out, but an extra 37 metres would have made a lot of difference. Will explain next time I see you.
Forgetting Cat 2, it would actually just be nice to have a proper cat 1 runway lighting with a 550m RVR requirement like Jersey and Guernsey. That would 'just' take approach lights on gantries as far as I understand.
The minimum visibility required to commence an approach before the works was 700 metres - as we now have a WORSE approach lighting system than before, it is now 1000 metres. Even if you can legally make an approach, if the cloud is at or below 100 feet you aint getting in because there are no approach lights to be seen at decision altitude. I know, I've been there.