Uttlesford District Council has declared that it will launch a robust
defence to BAA’s appeal against the decision to refuse an
application to expand the use of the existing runway at Stansted Airport. Uttlesford District Council has expressed
disappointment at BAA’s decision to appeal against yesterday’s unanimous
decision by Council members to turn down an application to expand use of
the existing runway at Stansted airport.

BAA had submitted an application for planning permission to vary/remove
conditions attached to its 2003 permission, which capped runway use at 25
million passengers per year. The application has been rigorously and
transparently examined over the last six months by the Council’s
Development Control Committee, with the conclusion that the evidence
pointed clearly at a refusal. The DCC were unanimous in accepting the
recommendation of planning officers.

Mark Gayler, Leader of Uttlesford District Council, said “It has been vital
for us to examine the application carefully and with the utmost vigour. The
work that has been done over the last six months in conducting an open and
transparent process with maximum involvement of all interested parties, in
order to examine the evidence has therefore been of vast importance. This
brought us to a position where we were able to make a decision that will
stand up to close scrutiny. We are therefore confident that we can defend
our decision rigorously.”

When the appeal is formally lodged UDC and their legal advisors will
examine the grounds on which it is based and will launch a robust defence.

Yesterday’s decision by Council members was based on the recommendation of
Council planning officers. The officers’ full report is available via
www.stanstedexplained.info/events under the heading ‘21 November - Officer
Recommendation’.
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