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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Airport expansion gets go-ahead | Airport expansion gets go-ahead |
| (19 minutes later) | |
| Controversial plans for an expansion of Stansted Airport in Essex have been given the go-ahead by the government. | Controversial plans for an expansion of Stansted Airport in Essex have been given the go-ahead by the government. |
| Airport owner BAA wants to increase passenger numbers from 25 million to 35 million a year and flights leaving the airport from 241,000 to 264,000 a year. | Airport owner BAA wants to increase passenger numbers from 25 million to 35 million a year and flights leaving the airport from 241,000 to 264,000 a year. |
| Objectors said an expansion would damage the environment but some unions said the proposal could bring new jobs. | Objectors said an expansion would damage the environment but some unions said the proposal could bring new jobs. |
| Uttlesford District Council leader Jim Ketteridge said the decision was a blow for the community. | |
| Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon made the announcement in a written statement to Parliament on Thursday. | Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon made the announcement in a written statement to Parliament on Thursday. |
| Mr Ketteridge said: "Residents already find the level of aircraft noise extremely disturbing and allowing BAA to increase the amount of air traffic marks a further erosion of our quality of life, particularly for all those living near Stansted Airport." | |
| We may not have won this battle but... we will do everything we can to win the war Jim Ketteridge, Uttlesford District Council | |
| Stansted's managing director, Stewart Wingate, said the decision was "great news" for passengers. | Stansted's managing director, Stewart Wingate, said the decision was "great news" for passengers. |
| He said: "We are naturally delighted that the Secretaries of State have granted permission for the next phase of growth at Stansted. | He said: "We are naturally delighted that the Secretaries of State have granted permission for the next phase of growth at Stansted. |
| "This secures our future up to 35 million passengers a year." | "This secures our future up to 35 million passengers a year." |
| Planning permission for the expansion was originally refused on grounds of noise and environmental concerns by Uttlesford Council in November 2006. | |
| A public inquiry was help during which BAA said there would be measures to control, manage and minimise predicted impacts on the local environment. | |
| A letter from the Department for Communities and Local Government to BAA's lawyers said ministers found the impact on health caused by air pollution was "likely to be very small". | |
| 'Redoubling efforts' | |
| However, Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Norman Baker said it was bad news for people living near Stansted: "This is further evidence that the government is in the pocket of the aviation industry. | |
| "It shows the gaping void between its environmental rhetoric and reality. | |
| "Ministers like to talk green, but their actions show they are only too willing to increase carbon emissions." | |
| Members of the Stop Stansted Expansion (SSE) campaign group have held a long-running campaign against the plans. | Members of the Stop Stansted Expansion (SSE) campaign group have held a long-running campaign against the plans. |
| Graham Thompson, an activist with campaign group Plane Stupid, said: "Whether it's Ruth Kelly or Geoff Hoon, it's quite clear that the minister for BAA is not working in the interests of Britain. | |
| "Our democratic checks and balances are failing and escalating direct action is now inevitable." | |
| BAA also wants to build a second runway at Stansted as part of long-term plans for the airport. | |
| Mr Ketteridge, from Uttlesford Council, said: "We are redoubling our efforts to fight the second runway proposals. | |
| "We may not have won this battle, but with the help of our local authority partners, we will do everything we can to win the war." |