Stansted expansion approved
Stansted expansion approved
The government has approved the expansion of Stansted Airport. Transport secretary Geoff Hoon has given the go ahead for the expansion plans, enabling Stansted to handle an extra 10 million passengers per year.
Planning permission for the
expansion of Stansted was originally refused on grounds of noise and environmental concerns, reports The Independent.
However, the government today overruled the decision made by Uttlesford District Council,
Essex, following an appeal by airports operator
BAA. The move means that Stansted can increase the number of flights from 241,000 per year to 264,000 and boost the number of passengers from 25 million to 35 million.
The
green light for the expansion of Stansted was described as "great news" for passengers by the airport's managing director Stewart Wingate.
"We are naturally delighted that the secretaries of state have granted permission for the next phase of
growth at Stansted...this is clearly great news for passengers and businesses in the local area [and] the
wider region."
The
Department for Communities and Local Government relayed its decision in a letter to BAA's lawyers. It said that ministers found the impact on health caused by air pollution was "likely to be very small". It added that "there is evidence that the proposal would deliver large economic benefits".
The decision does not, however, mean that ministers have concluded that a
second runway at Stansted is needed, it was stressed. BAA have previously expressed their desire for a second runway at the airport.
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