New transport secretary Geoff Hoon has given the go-ahead to an increase in the number of flights at Stansted of almost ten per cent.
The decision follows an appeal by BAA following the refusal of planning permission by Uttlesford Council in November 2006.
It allows for an increase in the number of flights to and from the airport in a year from 241,000 to 264,000, and an increase in the maximum number of passengers using the airport from 25 million to 35 million per annum.
The reasons are set out in the Secretaries of State’s decision letter, copies of which have been placed in the House Libraries, together with the Planning Inspector’s report.
Aviation minister Jim Fitzpatrick said: “There is an urgent need for additional runway capacity in the South East. We were clear in the Aviation White Paper that the first priority was to make best use of the existing runways, including using the remaining capacity at Stansted.”
