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Welcome news came from the UK government for London Stansted Airport last week when the government advised that the local council was the right body to determine future growth at the airport.
In February 2018, Stansted submitted a planning application to Uttlesford District Council that sought permission for the airport to increase the number of passengers it serves from 35 to 43 million per year. The District Council subsequently resolved to grant this planning permission in November 2018.
This decision was then subject to a review by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
In a letter published last week, by the Communities Secretary, James Brokenshire MP, confirmed that Uttlesford District Council are the right body to approve the airport’s planning application.
Ken O’ Toole, CEO of London Stansted said; "We welcome the Government’s decision to enable our application to be determined locally by Uttlesford District Council, following the council’s decision to grant permission in November 2018.
From the outset our local community has been a vital partner in this planning process, and their feedback has shaped our proposals which do not seek an increase in the permitted number of flights, and commit us to achieving a smaller noise footprint in the future than our existing permissions require.
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| Image London Stansted |
Our application is in line with the Government’s aviation policy which supports airports seeking to make best use of existing runway capacity, and our proposals have been endorsed by a wide range of independent public bodies as part of a thorough local decision-making process."
The application sought permission to make best use of the airport’s existing single runway over the next decade, a move which will deliver significant economic benefits to the UK and the vibrant East of England region, create 5,000 new on-site jobs, improve passenger choice and convenience and boost international long-haul routes to fast-growing markets like China, India and the US. The application will also ease pressure on the London airport system by unlocking additional capacity at a time when other airports are full.
Last year, Stansted experienced its busiest ever summer, with 8.4 million passengers passing through its doors between June and August and 100,000 passengers passing through in one day at its peak. The airport is planning on introducing a succession of enhancements, both large and small, that will further improve the experience for passengers travelling through during the summer ’19 season.
Improvements include:
Recruitment of up to 200 new security officers and customer service ambassadors
Recent opening of a new technology-led terminal control centre, ‘The Hub’, which will help ensure a smooth flow of passengers through the airport and enhance the airport’s ability to respond swiftly to any operational issues
The introduction of more seating into the Departure Lounge, including a dedicated family seating area offering colourful children-friendly bench seating for groups travelling with younger children
Construction of a new ‘quiet area’ space for passengers who wish to relax away from the main departure lounge
Addition of new water fountains across the terminal and satellite buildings to help encourage wider use of re-useable bottles
Introduction of additional in-terminal charging points for electronic devices
Doubling the number of terminal cleaning staff to 100 and in-sourcing the service to enable the direct management of this essential element of the customer journey
Upgrades to passenger wayfinding and help points, including new information desk airside
Opening of a new 2,700 space multi-storey car park with additional blue badge spaces, and an increase in the price of the Express Set Down area to ensure its continued smooth running, reduce further instances of ‘kiss and fly’ and to further encourage sustainable transport choices to and from the airport
A brand-new fleet of over 30 high quality buses serving airport carparks and airside, reducing journey times and introducing realtime information for passengers for the first time
Increased seating capacity in popular restaurants including 200 new seats in The Windmill and 100 added to Burger King
Opening of new and upgraded toilet facilities.'
