Stansted runway consultation extended
31.05.08
The deadline for formal responses to a proposed second runway at Stansted Airport has been extended. The deadline for responses from interested parties is now September 26.
BAA has asked Uttlesford council - which covers the airport - for permission to build the new runway and a second terminal. But a final decision will almost certainly be made by ministers after a public inquiry.
If approved, the £2.5bn development would open in 2015 and serve 68 million passengers a year by around 2030. BAA says the project will create more than 13,000 jobs by 2030 and boost the UK economy by £9bn a year.
Six local authorities in Essex, Suffolk and Hertfordshire are campaigning to stop a second runway being built at the UK's third busiest airport, saying a second runway would put ‘unbearable strain’ on local services.
Uttlesford District Council - the planning authority for the airport - received a large number of requests for a three month extension due to the quantity of material submitted by airport owners BAA in the 38 planning applications relating to the runway bid.
These included important consultant authorities such as Essex and Hertfordshire County Councils, East of England Regional Assembly, Essex Wildlife Trust and the east of England Development Agency.
Roger Harborough, head of planning and housing strategy for Uttlesford District Council, said: ‘We have therefore decided to extend the consultation period by three months and the new closing date for submissions is now September 26, making an allowance for the intervening peak holiday period.'
‘The new deadline relates to all planning and listed building consent applications comprising the Generation 2 (runway bid) package submitted to the council for determination.’
Carol Barbone, Stop Stansted Expansion campaign spokeswoman, said: ‘The extended deadline of an extra three months is very welcome as there is an awful lot of documentation for people to work through before a challenge can be made. It is very important that members of the public take the time to respond to the plans and stop the proposed second runway.’
A BAA spokesperson said: ‘While the extension to Uttlesford District Council's consultation period will allow some organisations more time to consider the G2 application and respond, we trust this delay will not adversely affect a start date for the inquiry.’
Further information about responding to the proposals is available on the website www.stanstedexplained.info
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