Council turns down plans to expand airport

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The airport operator, BAA, wants to increase passenger numbers to 35 million per year by extending the airport's runway.

But Uttlesford District Council today said no to BAA planning applications.

BAA is expected to appeal against the decision and the issue is almost certain to be decided at a public inquiry.

Scores of people who live near the airport packed into the council meeting in Saffron Walden, Essex, to voice their opposition to the expansion.

Councillors said they were concerned about the impact any expansion would have on the local environment.

Local residents who have formed a Stop Stansted Expansion campaign celebrated after the meeting.

Campaign director Carol Barbone said she was "absolutely delighted" by the decision.

"We called on BAA to respect the community's decision," she said.

"If BAA claims to listen to the community then they should respect today's decision.

"However if they decide to go to a public inquiry we will fight them to the bitter end."

Friends of the Earth's aviation campaigner Richard Dyer said: "We are delighted that the local authority has rejected BAA's application for a huge rise in passenger numbers at Stansted airport.

"The Government's airport expansion plans are completely unsustainable, and will lead to a massive increase in carbon dioxide emissions.

"Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander must wake up to the threat posed by global climate change and urgently rethink his department's aviation strategy."

Terry Morgan, Stansted's managing director, said BAA would appeal against the decision and the issue would be decided at a public inquiry.

"We intend to appeal against the decision and will take our case to a public inquiry," he said. "No-one should be in any doubt that we remain confident of the case we have made."

He said BAA would also go ahead with plans to build a second runway at Stansted and would make an application next year.

Mr Morgan said he was disappointed with the council's decision which flew in the face of demand from passengers.