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Stansted expansion plan refused | Stansted expansion plan refused |
(9 minutes later) | |
Expansion plans for Stansted Airport which could boost passenger numbers have been rejected, amid objections including the effect on climate change. | |
Uttlesford Council turned down BAA's planning application to extend the existing runway. | Uttlesford Council turned down BAA's planning application to extend the existing runway. |
The airport operator wanted to increase passenger numbers to 35m a year. | The airport operator wanted to increase passenger numbers to 35m a year. |
The impact of expansion on climate change and the local environment had concerned councillors. BAA said it would appeal against the decision. | |
Terry Morgan, Stansted Airport's managing director, said the issue would be decided at a public inquiry. | Terry Morgan, Stansted Airport's managing director, said the issue would be decided at a public inquiry. |
He said BAA still wanted to build a second runway at Stansted and would make an application next year. | He said BAA still wanted to build a second runway at Stansted and would make an application next year. |
Economic benefits | |
Uttlesford planning officers' reasons for recommending refusal included the impact it would have on noise levels, air quality, road and rail networks and local quality of life. | |
They said economic benefits had not been demonstrated to be strong enough to outweigh all other factors. | They said economic benefits had not been demonstrated to be strong enough to outweigh all other factors. |
A second runway at Stansted was contained in the government's 2003 Aviation White Paper, a review of which is due from the Department for Transport before the end of this year. | A second runway at Stansted was contained in the government's 2003 Aviation White Paper, a review of which is due from the Department for Transport before the end of this year. |
Local residents who have formed a Stop Stansted Expansion campaign said they were "absolutely delighted" by the decision. | Local residents who have formed a Stop Stansted Expansion campaign said they were "absolutely delighted" by the decision. |
Environmental campaigners hailed the decision as a benchmark, saying it was the first time climate change had been listed as a reason for refusing a planning application. | |
"We are delighted by this local authority's decision," said a spokesman for Friends of the Earth. | "We are delighted by this local authority's decision," said a spokesman for Friends of the Earth. |
"I think increasingly people are waking up to the threat of climate change. This decision is a fantastic sign that the public realises the need to do something." | "I think increasingly people are waking up to the threat of climate change. This decision is a fantastic sign that the public realises the need to do something." |
Shadow aviation minister Julian Brazier said: "This result confirms the extent of local opposition to Stansted. | Shadow aviation minister Julian Brazier said: "This result confirms the extent of local opposition to Stansted. |
"We have to ask the wider question as to whether we should be predicting or providing for current growth rates in aviation, given the problems of climate change." | "We have to ask the wider question as to whether we should be predicting or providing for current growth rates in aviation, given the problems of climate change." |