Government calls in second runway application
21.07.08
The Government has announced that it has called in the second runway (G2) planning application for Stansted today. This means that 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 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 planning applications in support of the G2 runway project following 4 years of detailed planning work to deliver a key milestone of the Government's Air Transport White Paper. We 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 a second runway at Stansted for the East of England, London, and for UK plc. 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 moved the process forward on BAA's second planning application before it has decided BAA's first application. All the more so because the application for a second runway assumes permission for its earlier application has been approved. The government is now proceeding on the same basis.’
The Public Inquiry is expected to start early next year and take 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.
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