The Government has called in the second runway (or G2) planning application for Stansted Airport today. The move means the plans, which were lodged with Uttlesford District Council earlier this year, will be the subject of a public inquiry early next year, after which the Government will make a decision on the application.
The announcement has been welcomed by BAA. Roger Pellman, G2 project director said: 'We welcome today's news that our Generation 2 (G2) planning application for the development of a second runway at Stansted has been 'called in' and will now proceed to a public inquiry. We are pleased the secretary of state has acted swiftly and demonstrated their willingness to get on with the project.'
'Earlier this year, BAA submitted nearly 40 separate planning applications in support of the G2 runway project following 4 years of detailed and comprehensive planning work to deliver a key milestone of the Government'sAir Transport White Paper. We now look forward to presenting our case in front of an independent inspector at a planning inquiry.'
'There are huge social and economic benefits to be enjoyed from the development of a second runway at Stansted for the East of England, London, and for UK plc, and we are fully committed to maximising these opportunities for millions of air travellers while at the same time doing all we can to limit, avoid and mitigate against any environmental impacts.'
However, Stop Stansted Expansion (SSE) campaign director Carol Barbone said: 'It beggars belief that the government has decided to move the process forward on BAA's second planning application before it has even decided BAA's first application. All the more so because BAA's application for a second runway assumes permission for its earlier application has been approved. The government is now proceeding on the same basis.'
'While SSE will again present evidence to the Public Inquiry, largely focusing on the technical detail of the application, it is the individual responses from members of the public that will best describe the madness of the proposal to make Stansted bigger than today's Heathrow and indeed bigger than any other airport in Europe.'
'These personal accounts make a powerful impact in giving a clear view of what we stand to lose if BAA's plans go ahead. We urge everyone to make their views known in as much or as little detail as they choose.'
The Public Inquiry is expected to start in early 2009 and take around 12 months, followed by the submission of the Inspector's report to the government, with a final decision unlikely before 2011. A separate planning application to increase passenger numbers at the airport was delayed by the government last week over issues surrounding night flights. |
