Stansted second runway
- Costs halved and land required significantly reduced
- Over 13,000 new jobs by 2030
- Responses from thousands helped shape Stansted’s plans
News update: Government delay start of G2 planning inquiry (March 2009)
Hazel Blears MP, the Government's Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, has recently announced a temporary delay to the start of the planning inquiry for Stansted's second runway. It was originally set to begin on 15 April 2009. With the Competition Commission (CC) expected to release its final recommendations on airport ownership in March 2009, we recognise this decision may be the best way to prevent long-term damage to the delivery of this important project. Ms Blears has said she would make a further announcement within four weeks of the CC's report being published. There will then be at least eight weeks between her formal announcement and the start of the G2 inquiry itself.
Back in July 2008 and after four years of planning and thousands of consultation responses later, plans for Stansted Airport beyond 2015 were submitted to local authority, Uttlesford District Council.
The plans for a two runway, two terminal Stansted - expected to see its first flights in 2017 and serve 68m passengers a year in around 2030 – have seen significant improvements since they were outlined in a government White Paper in 2003.
Refinements to the plans were made in many areas. One of the most significant has been the reduction in the amount of land required for the airport development.
In 2003, an initial 700 hectare site was envisaged but today planning permission is being sought for 442. Further improvements include: fewer buildings lost, less woodland lost, and fewer homes and people affected by noise.
The proposal has also been shaped by the thousands of responses received from residents, elected representatives, community organisations, businesses and travellers as part of several extensive consultations. Stansted airlines have also been consulted as part of the planning process.
Work has also been carried out with Government and other partners to deliver the transport improvements necessary for a project of this size. Improvements to bus and rail services, as well as better road links for the region are all planned.
A two-runway Stansted will mean greater choice for millions of passengers –hundreds of thousands of them from the local area – as well as benefits for the economy and more jobs. It will also help ease the lack of airport capacity in the South East of England at a time when airports are almost full.
The plans will be scrutinised at an independent public inquiry that is now expected to begin later this year and to last for a year or more. A recommendation will then be made to the Government with a final decision around two and a half years from now. If permission is granted, then the second runway could be open in 2017.