Uttlesford District Council to delay decision on Stansted’s expansion application – details needed on noise, air pollution & surface access
Plans to increase the number of passengers Stansted Airport handles, along with other infrastructure, have been delayed after Uttlesford District Council (UDC) asked for more information. Stansted’s application to expand the number of passengers allowed per year from 35 million to 43 million was due to be heard by UDC on July 18th. But it is unlikely to be heard before at least one more consultation and one more public meeting. A spokesperson from the council said: “The council has been examining the robustness of the evidence supplied within the application, particularly in relation to surface access, noise and air quality. Ongoing discussions are taking place with relevant stakeholders including Highways England, Essex and Hertfordshire County Councils, Natural England and engaged consultants, and further work is being undertaken.” Additional information is needed from the airport to ensure that the Planning Committee has all it needs in order to make an informed decision on the application. UDC has also announced that the Planning Performance Agreement (PPA), an agreement that fast tracks the application in return for monetary payments to UDC’s planning officers to cover the costs of processing the applications, will be re-negotiated.
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Uttlesford District Council announces decision to delay London Stansted Airport expansion application as additional evidence is required
The airport wants to increase the number of passengers going through it from 35 million to 43 million a year
By Huw Wales (Hertfordshire Mercury)
15 JUN 2018
Plans to increase the number of passengers allowed through Stansted Airport, along with other infrastructure, have been delayed after Uttlesford District Council (UDC) asked for more information.
The application to expand the number of passengers allowed through the airport in a year from 35 million to 43 million was due to be heard by UDC on July 18.
However the application is unlikely to be heard for months after the announcement from the council, with another consultation and at least one public meeting to be held on the proposals, as well the revised description of the planning application.
A spokesperson from the council said: “The council has been examining the robustness of the evidence supplied within the application, particularly in relation to surface access, noise and air quality.
“Ongoing discussions are taking place with relevant stakeholders including Highways England, Essex and Hertfordshire County Councils, Natural England and engaged consultants, and further work is being undertaken.
“This is expected to lead to additional information being submitted by the applicant to ensure that the Planning Committee is provided with all the information it needs to make an informed decision on the application.
“Until this information is provided, and consulted upon, the council is unable to propose an alternative date for determination.”
The application aims to build two new taxiway links to the existing runway, six additional remote aircraft stands, three additional stands to enable a combined airfield operations of 274,000 planes, and of these no more than 16,000 would be cargo planes.
UDC has also announced that the Planning Performance Agreement (PPA), an agreement that fast tracks the application in return for monetary payments to UDC’s planning officers to cover the costs of processing the applications, will be re-negotiated.
In the statement it says: “In the meantime, the council will continue to meet with the applicant and other relevant consultees to discuss the progress of the application, whilst the Planning Performance Agreement (PPA) for this application will be re-negotiated in order to cover the extra work required.
“The council would like to reiterate that the use of PPAs follows best practice and does not in any way impact on the outcome – it is not a guarantee of planning permission.
“The Planning Committee judge every application on its merits, taking into account the relevant issues as well as comments made by the public and statutory agencies.”
These payments had been labelled as ‘cash for favour’ agreements by campaign group Stop Stansted Expansion, something that was denied by UDC.
It could be months before the application is heard
A London Stansted Airport spokesman said: “Our application to make best use of our existing runway is vitally important for the future success of London Stansted Airport and the wider region and it is only right that the council carefully considers all the relevant evidence and responses from statutory consultees.
“To assist this process, and in response to requests from the council and stakeholders, we will provide additional information to support our application.
Stansted Airport payments to Uttlesford Council labelled ‘cash for favours’
“Last week we welcomed the Government’s confirmation that it supports airports looking to make best use of their existing capacity and we are delighted that the amount of support pledged by local people and businesses for our application has doubled over the last month.
“It is vital for the UK economy that we have the best possible aviation connections to compete in a global marketplace.
“Growing support for our plans is clear recognition that by unlocking the airport’s potential to serve up to 43 million passengers and extend the choice of airlines and destinations we serve, Stansted can deliver that access now.”
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