Campaigners blast airport expansion

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The number of passengers travelling through Stansted Airport is set to rise from 25 million to 35 million a year with the number of flights increasing from 241,000 to 264,000.

The announcement left green groups claiming the Government's climate change policy was a "shambles" and that ministers had promoted a "binge-flying" culture.

Conditions limiting the number of flights and passengers were imposed due to noise and environmental concerns by Uttlesford District Council in November 2006.

But Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon - in his first major decision since being appointed to the role in last week's Cabinet reshuffle - overruled the council following an appeal by airport operator BAA and a public inquiry.

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. Labour has promoted a binge-flying culture in Britain for too long, and unfortunately it looks like it will be business as usual from the new Transport Secretary.

"Brown's reshuffled Cabinet is still dealing from the bottom of the pack when it comes to climate change."

That view was echoed by Friends of the Earth's Tony Bosworth, who said: "Allowing 10 million more people to fly from Stansted each year shows the Government's climate change strategy is a complete shambles."

Essex County Council, which is also opposed to further expansion at Stansted, said it was considering an appeal.