Braintree District Council has renewed its view that Stansted Airport should not be expanded to allow 25 million passengers a year.

Following a consultation report from the British Airports Authority and a report by the council's head of forward planning, Paul Munson, councillors have vowed to oppose any plans that would allow the airport to cater for this number of passengers.

If the expansion goes ahead, BAA has established that there would be 215,000 aircraft movements a year, compared to the current level of 185,000, and that 50 aircraft an hour would use the runway, instead of 45.

After a meeting to discuss the issue, Cllr Tony Meadows said: "The consultation report is a good marketing exercise, but there are still fundamental questions about air pollution, aircraft noise and better transport links towards Braintree and beyond.

"Aircraft noise is much more noticeable, particularly in the quieter rural areas or if you live under the flight path.

''More efficient and sustainable transport links must be developed to the east of the airport, in particular a rail link to Braintree and improvements to the existing branch line."

He added: "Whilst I acknowledge that further development at Stansted may bring economic benefits this must not be at the expense of the environment."

BAA proposes to make a planning application for the development next spring. An environmental statement and a transport assessment will accompany the application.

By Clare Berrett

Reporter's e-mail: clare.berrett@essex-chronicle.co.uk

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