Council says no to expansion

HARLOW Council is to oppose further expansion at Stansted Airport.

The decision was met with cheers and applause from anti-expansion campaigners and members of the public when joint council leader Andrew Johnson made the announcement at Thursday's full council meeting.

He said: "Harlow Council oppose any proposals to build additional runways at Stansted and calls on the Government, train operating companies and BAA Stansted to address outstanding issues relating to present and planned levels of usage of the existing runway."

Joint leader Lorna Spenceley said the council was unconvinced about the projections and figures set out in the Department for Transport's airport study and the impact expansion would have on Harlow.

She said the council's submission to the Government would be based on several key arguments, including the impact additional runways would have on the environment and people's quality of life.

Noise levels, night flights and the height at which planes fly over the town will also be addressed.

The council's decision is a direct response to concerns raised by residents at a public meeting earlier this month.

Many residents felt the Government had grossly underestimated the impact the expansion would have on Harlow and that the figures were misleading.

Labour group leader Kevin Brooks said his party would support the council's decision but felt the council had "got off to a poor start" owing to a lack of leadership over the best way to deal with the issue.

He also proposed that a Harlow specific impact study be commissioned so the council had the best possible information on which to base its argument, which the council is to look into.

12:46 Tuesday 29th October 2002

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