London Stansted announces local community consultation on making best use of existing capacity
Eight local community events to help shape airport’s future plans
Airport to seek permission later this year to raise current planning constraints to make best use of existing capacity
Raising existing limits will enable Stansted to handle around 44 million passengers a year by 2030
Uttlesford District Council to undertake further public consultation following submission of planning application
London Stansted has today announced to its independent consultative committee a programme of local community consultation events in the coming weeks to gather the views of local residents to help shape its plans to make best use of existing runway capacity at the airport.
Stansted Airport staff will be hosting eight exhibitions in town and villages during July as part of its preparation for the submission of a planning application later this year to Uttlesford District Council to raise the current passenger and flight limits. The airport will also launch a new dedicated website to share information and capture the views of those unable to attend the consultation events.
Following submission of the planning application, Uttlesford District Council will carry out a further consultation with local people, businesses and statutory agencies as part of its process for determining whether to grant planning permission.
Stansted is one of the UK’s fastest growing airports serving nearly 25 million passengers a year, flying to more than 180 destinations in 40 countries. The airport currently has a planning cap that limits annual passenger numbers to 35 million but its existing runway has the potential to serve around 44 million passengers a year.
”Stansted will be critical in supporting the UK's economic growth and increasing our global competitiveness. Making the most of existing capacity at Stansted over the next 10-15 years is a strategic priority and we want to hear what people across our region think
“We are committed to meeting future demand in the most sustainable and efficient way possible. In the coming weeks and months we will be continuing to talk to those with an interest in Stansted's growth, including local residents, businesses and airline partners to ensure we maximise the social and economic benefits and address any impacts.”
“By lifting the current planning caps, Stansted will be able to serve around 44 million passengers a year on its existing runway by 2030.
"Making use of Stansted’s spare capacity will benefit not only the dynamic and fast growing east of England region, but also London and the UK. It will support the creation of thousands of new jobs and billions of pounds in additional economic activity, and will ensure the UK succeeds as an outward-facing trading nation as we leave the EU.
“We know that growth is a sensitive and important issue for people living close to airports and we are committed to engaging, listening and sharing as much information as possible as we develop our plans.
“We take our responsibilities to the communities around the airport seriously, and as part of our growth plan we will focus on operating in cleaner, quieter and smarter ways. Our airlines have invested heavily in quieter and cleaner fleets helping to reduce our noise footprint and we are committed to going further to minimise the impact of noise disturbance.
“We will remain focused on providing employment opportunities for local people, building on the fantastic education, jobs and training schemes we have in place. The hugely successful Aerozone education centre and our commitment together with Harlow College to invest in a new technical college at the airport demonstrates our ambition to go further in this area. Last year alone, we helped 800 local people access jobs.
“Unlocking the full potential of Stansted’s single runway will be good for passengers and competition, and help businesses access key markets and trade with new partners. Passengers will also benefit from significant investment in new facilities, providing them with a high quality travelling experience.
“We believe by setting out our plans and sharing our thinking we can grow the airport to serve a modern economy as a responsible and sustainable forward-looking business at the heart of the local community.”
Full details of exhibition events:
- Thursday 6th July 3pm until 8pm at the Hatfield Heath Institute, 2A Broomfields, Hatfield Heath, CM22 7EH
- Saturday 8th July 10am until 3pm at Foakes Hall, 47 Stortford Road, Great Dunmow, CM6 1DG
- Monday 10th July 3pm until 7pm at St John’s Church Hall, Stansted Mountfitchet, CM24 8JP
- Wednesday 12th July 3pm until 8pm at Braintree Town Hall, Fairfield Road, Braintree, CM7 3YG
- Friday 14th July, 4pm until 8pm at the Silver Jubilee Hall, Dunmow Road, Takeley CM22 6QJ
- Saturday 15th July 12pm until 4pm at Bolford Street Hall, Bolford Street, Thaxted, CM6 2PY
- Monday 17th July 3pm until 8pm at the Town Hall, Market Square, Saffron Walden, CB10 1HR
- Wednesday 19th July 3pm until 8pm at the Methodist Church, 34B South Street, Bishop’s Stortford, CM23 3AZ
For those who are unable to attend these events they can share their views at www.ourstansted.com or emailing consultation@stanstedairport.com
An information leaflet will also be distributed to around 32,000 households in the local area.