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Stansted Airport: Have your say on plan for growth to 51 million passengers a year




Stansted Airport has launched a consultation on its long-term plan for expansion to 51 million passengers a year over the next two decades – 70% more than the numbers that used it last year.

Its Sustainable Development Plan (SDP) sets out how to make best use of its single runway.

It details how Stansted bosses will maximise social and economic benefits for communities and businesses. Proposals include:

• Improvements to M11 Junction 8 to reduce congestion

• Ensuring half of all passenger journeys to and from the airport are by public transport, to relieve pressure on local roads

• Funds for local bus services, roads and measures to tackle fly-parking

• Working with train operators to improve the Stansted Express

• Airport infrastructure powered by 100% renewable energy, helping to achieve the Net Zero target requirement by 2038

• Working with partners to nearly double the size of Stansted Airport College, to train more young people.

Stansted proposes to submit a planning application to planning authority Uttlesford District Council (UDC) within the next few months to raise its annual passenger limit to 51 million.

Bosses believe they can exceed the current cap of 43m passengers a year without increasing the number of flights already permitted and within the airport’s existing boundary.

Stansted Airport
Stansted Airport

Airlines will use larger models of modern, efficient aircraft, enabling more passengers on each aircraft to meet increased demand.

Managing director Gareth Powell said: “Stansted today serves 30 million passengers a year and this number is forecast to grow over the next 20 years, so it’s only sensible to start making plans now.

“We recently announced a £1.1bn investment programme, including an extension to the terminal, and we’re very proud of the role we play locally, providing over 12,000 jobs and supporting thousands of young people through our extensive educational and training schemes.

“With up to 51 million passengers a year expected by the 2040s, our plan puts in place the measures now to support growth in the future.

Gareth Powell
Gareth Powell

“It’s about making the best use of our single runway, providing education and training opportunities, managing our environmental impact and helping relieve the pressure on local roads.

“Over the next few weeks, we’ll be consulting with local residents, businesses and passengers on our plan ahead of submitting a planning application in the coming months.

“We understand the airport’s operation and growth is an important issue, especially for people living close to us, so the consultation is an opportunity to engage widely with our local community on how Stansted grows in the most sustainable and efficient way possible to make best use of its existing capacity.”

The public consultation opened on Tuesday (Feb 4) and runs until March 10 with a dedicated website www.backstanstedplan.co.uk.



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