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Inquiry into Stansted expansion | Inquiry into Stansted expansion |
(30 minutes later) | |
A public inquiry into British Airport Authority (BAA) plans to expand Stansted Airport in Essex is due to start later. | A public inquiry into British Airport Authority (BAA) plans to expand Stansted Airport in Essex is due to start later. |
BAA wants to increase passenger numbers from 25 million to 35 million a year. | BAA wants to increase passenger numbers from 25 million to 35 million a year. |
Plans were rejected by Uttlesford District Council so a final decision will now be made at the inquiry. | Plans were rejected by Uttlesford District Council so a final decision will now be made at the inquiry. |
BAA also wants permission to increase the number of air traffic movements permitted from the airport from 241,000 to 264,000 a year. | BAA also wants permission to increase the number of air traffic movements permitted from the airport from 241,000 to 264,000 a year. |
The inquiry will take place in Endeavour House at Stansted Airport and is expected to last until October. | The inquiry will take place in Endeavour House at Stansted Airport and is expected to last until October. |
Expansion means an additional 5,000 jobs at the airport, which will provide work for local families for years to come Gary Pearce, GMB union class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=6445&edition=1&ttl=20070530090857">Send us your comments | |
BAA said: "This is an important day for the future of Stansted Airport, and for the local community too. This independent public inquiry will take its time in the coming weeks to listen carefully to all points of view." | BAA said: "This is an important day for the future of Stansted Airport, and for the local community too. This independent public inquiry will take its time in the coming weeks to listen carefully to all points of view." |
The Stop Stansted Expansion campaign opposes the plans. | The Stop Stansted Expansion campaign opposes the plans. |
A spokesman told BBC News: "If Stansted were permitted to expand to maximum use of the existing runway, the local environment would suffer, the national economy would suffer and we would have taken a giant step backwards in the battle to combat climate change." | A spokesman told BBC News: "If Stansted were permitted to expand to maximum use of the existing runway, the local environment would suffer, the national economy would suffer and we would have taken a giant step backwards in the battle to combat climate change." |
Carol Barbone, from the campaign group, said the expansion would not help the economy because it was encouraging people to go on holiday abroad. | Carol Barbone, from the campaign group, said the expansion would not help the economy because it was encouraging people to go on holiday abroad. |
Job losses | Job losses |
The group said BAA's proposal of an extra 10 million passengers annually would create the same amount of additional carbon dioxide as would be saved if everybody in the UK switched from conventional to low energy lightbulbs. | The group said BAA's proposal of an extra 10 million passengers annually would create the same amount of additional carbon dioxide as would be saved if everybody in the UK switched from conventional to low energy lightbulbs. |
BAA said: "The fact remains that more people want to fly to more destinations, more often than ever before, and we are very confident of the case we will be presenting that says we can achieve growth in a sustainable way. | BAA said: "The fact remains that more people want to fly to more destinations, more often than ever before, and we are very confident of the case we will be presenting that says we can achieve growth in a sustainable way. |
"There are huge social and economic benefits to be gained from growth at Stansted and this is an exciting opportunity that should not be lost." | "There are huge social and economic benefits to be gained from growth at Stansted and this is an exciting opportunity that should not be lost." |
Gary Pearce, from the GMB Union, which represents thousands of Stansted workers, said the union welcomed the inquiry. | Gary Pearce, from the GMB Union, which represents thousands of Stansted workers, said the union welcomed the inquiry. |
He added: "If Stansted doesn't keep up with recent growth, the large airlines, whose passenger numbers will increase, will go elsewhere, and that will mean job losses and damage to the local economy. | He added: "If Stansted doesn't keep up with recent growth, the large airlines, whose passenger numbers will increase, will go elsewhere, and that will mean job losses and damage to the local economy. |
"Expansion means an additional 5,000 jobs at the airport, which will provide work for local families for years to come." | "Expansion means an additional 5,000 jobs at the airport, which will provide work for local families for years to come." |