Call for public inquiry

A PUBLIC inquiry must be held into plans to increase Stansted Airport's capacity by ten million passengers a year to 25 million, the Council for the Protection of Rural Essex says.

Chairman Lady Walker has written to the Government Office for the East of England asking for the application to be called in and for a public inquiry held.

The organisation, which opposes any increase over the current 15m figure, argues that approval of the application at this time would be premature and seriously prejudice proper consideration of the South East Regional Airports Study options.

And it continues to support the efforts of the Stop Stansted Expansion campaign to oppose the "environmentally-disastrous" suggestion that up to three new runways should be built at Stansted.

It will fight the SERAS (South East Regional Airport Study) suggestions through a countywide campaign reminding those living in Essex that no one is immune from the impact of increased aircraft noise, pollution and a general loss of tranquillity in the countryside.

It also opposes, with its Kent group, plans to build a major airport at Cliffe which would have a considerable adverse impact on Thurrock and many parts of south Essex.

Lady Walker said: The Council for the Protection of Rural Essex is dedicated to the protection of our countryside as a rightful inheritance of future generations.

"Our members are concerned that the environmental damage that would result from expansion of facilities at Stansted Airport to handle 25 million passengers per annum has not been rigorously tested at a public inquiry in front of an independent adjudicator".

The application was given the go-ahead by Uttlesford District Council.

15:47 Monday 7th October 2002

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