Stansted expansion cleared for take-off

Stansted Airport has been given the go-ahead to handle an extra 10 million passengers a year despite huge opposition. Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon granted permission for the airport to increase the number of flights from 241,000 to 264,000 and raise the number of passengers from 25 million to 35 million. He made the announcement, changing Stansted's planning conditions, in a written statement to Parliament. Planning permission for the expansion was originally refused on grounds of noise and environmental concerns by Uttlesford District Council in November 2006. But the Government overruled the council following an appeal by airport operator BAA. Environmental campaign groups are outraged by the decision. Graham Thompson, an activist with Plane Stupid, and one of those who has occupied the roof of Parliament to protest against airport expansion, 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." A Green Party spokesman said: "It beggars belief really. All the time we get more and more warnings about the damage we're doing to the environment and the planet and yet here we have the Government making decisions which will do more unnecessary damage." Friends of the Earth's Transport Campaigner, Tony Bosworth, said: "Allowing 10 million more people to fly from Stansted each year shows the Government's climate change strategy is a complete shambles." Greenpeace senior transport campaigner Anita Goldsmith said: "Only this week the Government signalled that it will adopt a new tougher target to cut climate-trashing emissions, including those from aviation. But giving the green light to another 20,000 new flights from Stansted is in clear contrast to that commitment." The National Trust said the decision showed a blatant disregard for the local community and a cavalier attitude to the country's future. It would have a "huge negative impact" on nearby Hatfield Forest, an ancient woodland and medieval hunting forest, through air and noise pollution, the Trust warned. The Whitehall decision also was strongly condemned by Uttlesford District councillors who said ministers were ignoring the concerns of residents near the Essex airport. Council leader Jim Ketteridge said: "This decision on the existing runway is a blow for the community. "It demonstrates that the Government has failed to listen to the clear message from the people of Uttlesford. "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."

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ITN | October 9, 2008

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