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London Luton Airport expansion plan backed by government London Luton Airport expansion plan backed by government
(34 minutes later)
Expansion plans of London Luton Airport that would increase capacity to 18m passengers a year, have won government approval.Expansion plans of London Luton Airport that would increase capacity to 18m passengers a year, have won government approval.
London Luton Airport Operations said its plans could mean 45,000 extra flights and more than 5,000 new jobs.London Luton Airport Operations said its plans could mean 45,000 extra flights and more than 5,000 new jobs.
Luton Council backed the plans in December but Communities Secretary Eric Pickles asked to review the decision.Luton Council backed the plans in December but Communities Secretary Eric Pickles asked to review the decision.
Campaigners against the expansion have said it will bring an unacceptable increase in noise and air pollution.Campaigners against the expansion have said it will bring an unacceptable increase in noise and air pollution.
'Significant' opportunities'Significant' opportunities
Airport managing director Glyn Jones said the government's green light after a "thorough process" was "a real vote of confidence in the airport and its future".Airport managing director Glyn Jones said the government's green light after a "thorough process" was "a real vote of confidence in the airport and its future".
"The opportunities it brings for the local economy, in terms of jobs and investment, are significant and Luton can now press ahead with making its local airport bigger and better, while remaining a good neighbour," he said."The opportunities it brings for the local economy, in terms of jobs and investment, are significant and Luton can now press ahead with making its local airport bigger and better, while remaining a good neighbour," he said.
"[It underlines] the determination of our new owners, Ardian and Aena, to develop and radically improve London Luton and deliver a better airport experience for our passengers in the years to come.""[It underlines] the determination of our new owners, Ardian and Aena, to develop and radically improve London Luton and deliver a better airport experience for our passengers in the years to come."
Andrew Lambourne, from Hertfordshire Against Luton Expansion, said the expansion would be "significant and very invasive".
"An extra nine million passengers a year can't just be swept under the carpet - local roads are already crowded," he said.
"Planes will be taking off earlier in the morning and later at night.
"The throwaway comment about being a good neighbour is meaningless unless the airport takes seriously the concerns about noise and puts in place measures to make a difference."
Impartiality challenged
The airport, which is the UK's fifth largest, handled 9.7m passengers in 2013.The airport, which is the UK's fifth largest, handled 9.7m passengers in 2013.
The operator's plans include building a new dual carriageway from the Holiday Inn roundabout to the central terminal area. The Department for Communities and Local Government had been considering if it needed to call in the plans or whether Luton Borough Council could issue the planning consent.
It will also expand the terminal building and build a new parallel taxiway to accommodate the increase in passengers and a new multi-storey car park.
The Department for Communities and Local Government had been considering whether Luton Borough Council could issue the planning consent.
The council's impartiality had been challenged because, while London Luton Airport Ltd owns the airport infrastructure, the borough owns all its shares.The council's impartiality had been challenged because, while London Luton Airport Ltd owns the airport infrastructure, the borough owns all its shares.
However, it maintained its role as the local planning authority was entirely separate from its one as a shareholder and appointed an independent barrister, John Steel QC, to conduct a full independent review of the application.However, it maintained its role as the local planning authority was entirely separate from its one as a shareholder and appointed an independent barrister, John Steel QC, to conduct a full independent review of the application.