Stansted airport wants permission to increase passengers to 35m a year

05.08.05

Stansted airport is preparing to seek planning permission to increase passenger numbers to 35 million a year. As they look to make the 'best use of their existing runway', BAA is asking for the views of the public on the expansion.

Permission is necessary because of previous planning conditions, imposed by the district council in 2003, including limiting the annual number of passengers using the airport to 25m per year. Last year more than 21m passengers used the airport.

Stansted Airport Managing Director, Terry Morgan, said today: 'We have set out a very clear timetable for the growth of Stansted. Our current priority, in line with Government policy, is to make better use of our existing runway.' (A new runway is planned for the airport, which could be operational as soon as 2013).

The airport would particularly like feedback on possible environmental, social and economic effects of the expansion. Mr Morgan said: 'We are keenly aware of our continuing environmental and social responsibilities and are determined, as we go forward, to achieve sustainable growth.'

The public consultation runs until October. The airport will hold exhibitions detailing the plans in 27 nearby towns and villages. At the launch of the consultation process opinion was mixed; Mr Morgan said: 'It's fair to say we had some people expressing concerns about what we're proposing, but a number of people were also expressing support.'

BAA is planning to apply to Uttlesford District Council for planning permission to lift current restrictions on annual passenger numbers in spring 2006. It has also published an interim masterplan, which represents BAA's vision of Stansted up to 2015. It will be submitted with the planning application.

Stansted's business development and planning director Chris Butler said only a small amount of additional work was required. He said: 'We have permission to do a lot of building at the airport that we have not yet needed to implement.'

Mr Butler said planning permission existed for extensions to the passenger terminal, a new airside satellite and increased airport parking. He described any further additions as 'modest'.

Mr Morgan said he was 'pretty confident' about the planning application. He said: 'I think their genuine desire is to treat this application as any other.'

However, Stop Stansted Expansion economic advisor Brian Ross said: 'Based on the information the BAA has given, I think its prospects of getting planning permission are very slim.' Mr Ross said the group would be studying the proposals before lobbying the district and county council.

BAA will submit the planning application in spring 2006. All opinions regarding expansion should be submitted by October 31 this year.

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