27th November 2006

Runway expansion decision expected to block BAA’s Stansted plans

DIARY DATE and PHOTOCALL INFORMATION
for Wednesday 29 November 2006

Members of Uttlesford District Council’s planning committee are set to refuse BAA’s planning application to expand capacity on Stansted’s single runway at their meeting on Wednesday 29 November. Currently, the airport has permission to handle 25 million passengers a year but approval of the application could have led to a doubling of this number over time and an extra 80,000 flights annually over current levels.

Campaigners from Stop Stansted Expansion (SSE) and many local people will be in attendance at the meeting and will be available outside immediately after the decision to pose with banners congratulating Uttlesford and to give comment and reaction. They are hoping for a unanimous decision from the council as a show of unity in opposing the expansion threat. Maggie Sutton from SSE will also be making a short address to the committee at the start of the meeting.

The Development Control Committee meeting begins at 2pm and is expected to last around 1.5 hours. It will take place in the Council Chamber at Uttlesford District Council, London Road, Saffron Walden CB11 4ER.

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES
Please liaise with Carol Barbone, Campaign Director, Stop Stansted Expansion on M 0777 552 3091 or cbarbone@mxc.co.uk to set up interviews as required. Please note that both Carol and Chairman Peter Sanders will be in the council meeting and will not be able to take calls during the meeting itself, but will respond immediately afterwards to any queries.

BACKGROUND
The Council’s planning officers have recommended that the application should be turned down citing nine reasons for refusal including the impact that the proposed development would have upon noise, air quality, road and rail networks, water consumption and local quality of life. Officers have also concluded that the economic benefits have not been demonstrated to be strong enough to outweigh other factors.

Climate change is also cited as a significant factor.

For more details of Stop Stansted Expansion’s response last week to the officer recommendation, ahead of the decision, please see the SSE Press Release

Campaigning to ensure Stansted Airport's authorised operations stay below harmful limits