Airports operator BAA has agreed with Government suggestions for an extended Stansted boundary - but has promised to look at ways to reduce it.

Terry Morgan, BAA Stansted's managing director, has written to all homeowners whose properties would fall within the extended footprint.

He set out plans for compensating the people who suffer the loss of their homes.

Mr Morgan added while the proposed boundary of the expanded airport is as published in December by the Government in the White Paper, which involves the demolition of 74 properties, BAA Stansted will look into ways of reducing the area.

Under the scheme BAA Stansted will pay the full market value for affected properties, based on June 2002 prices, which will then be adjusted upwards, for subsequent changes in house prices.

The airports operator has also promised to pay moving costs and legal costs, and ten per cent of the value of people's homes, payable when planning permission for a new runway is granted.

Mr Morgan said: "In publishing details of this scheme today, I want to offer certainty and reassurance to local homeowners whose homes could be lost as a result of the second runway development that they will be properly and fairly compensated."

He added there was no compulsion to move early and that the package would be available at any time.

BAA also plans to introduce a second scheme - the Home Owners Support Scheme - to provide financial support to homeowners in properties close to the new runway boundary, who want to move but whose property values may be severely affected by the prospect of noise.

A consultation among affected homeowners and local community representatives on the options for this scheme will be launched later this month.

The Stop Stansted Expansion group (SSE) have slammed BAA's announcement as a 'minimalist, cost-saving approach'.

Published Tuesday February 17, 2004

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