Stansted busier than Heathrow after £2.2bn expansion

An estimated 68 million passengers would use the airport in Essex by 2030 if the controversial £2.2 billion expansion goes ahead, compared to 24 million now.

Unveiling the plan, Stansted owner BAA said it was cheaper than expected and would require less land.

However, opponents at Stop Stansted Expansion said it would be an "environmental catastrophe".

They claimed the runway would "obliterate" most of the area and pledged to fight the project all the way to the European courts.

BAA will submit a planning application in the summer and a public inquiry would give its verdict in 2010.

The new runway and terminal would open in 2015, at an initial cost of £1.4 million, with an initial rise in capacity of 10 million passengers a year.

When the expansion is complete by 2030, however, Stansted would be able to handle 68 million passengers a year — more than Heathrow, Britain's busiest airport.

The plans would create:

● a 3,048m runway parallel to the current one, and 2,200m to the south-east

● a terminal with passenger, baggage and aircraft handling facilities

● about 42 aircraft stands and piers

● more car parking space

● improved public transport including enhancements to bus and rail stations

● a new control tower

Four years ago ministers estimated the cost of full development to be £4 billion with a land take of 700 hectares.

BAA's latest plan has cut the land required to 486 hectares and cut costs to £2.2 billion by 2030.

BAA chief executive Stephen Nelson said: "In its December 2006 air transport White Paper the Government reiterated its policy for a second runway at Stansted.

"Our announcement brings that one step closer.

"We are confident of delivering a development fit for purpose.

"It will provide more runway capacity that the economy needs, good facilities for passengers, and value for money for airlines, but will minimise the impact on the local environment."

Stop Stansted Expansion, a coalition of residents, local groups and councils, accused BAA of a "land grab" and claimed virtually everyone in the area was against the plan.

Spokeswoman Carol Barbone said: "Much of [the village of] Molehill Green is threatened with obliteration, including the beautiful 500-year-old thatched pub.

"Other communities which could be most affected include Broxted, Burton End and Bambers Green.

"A second runway would be an environmental catastrophe, not least because of the massive increase in global warming emissions"

She said there were also serious concerns about the regional impact if Stansted were able to handle more passengers than Heathrow does now.

Uttlesford council, the airport's local authority, recently rejected an application by BAA to increase flights to a level that would accommodate 35 million passengers a year.

BAA has appealed. The company still wants a third Heathrow runway.

Ministers have not given permission for this but have indicated it is an option if Stansted, its favoured one, falls through.