Airport Plan Condemned

ECO campaigners reacted angrily yesterday to Government approval of huge expansion at Stansted Airport in Essex. Passenger numbers will go from 25 million to 35 million a year and flights from 241,000 to 264,000.

Green groups said the Government’s climate change policy was a shambles and ministers had promoted a “binge flying” culture.

Flight limits were imposed by Uttlesford District Council in 2006. But new Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon has overruled that after an appeal by airport operator BAA and a public inquiry.

Friends of the Earth’s Tony Bosworth said: “Allowing 10 million more people to fly from Stansted each year shows the Government’s climate change strategy is a complete shambles.”

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