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Stansted: Airport 'has lost debate' over growth

From the SUFFOLK FREE PRESS:

Campaigners against the expansion of Stansted Airport are confident the Government will throw out plans, after a five-month planning inquiry came to an end.
Airport owner BAA wants to raise the limit on the number of passengers using the airport from 25million to 35m a year and increase the number of flights from 241,000 to 264,000.
Uttlesford District Council turned down the planning application in November, sparking a public inquiry.
Dick Histed, of the South Suffolk Air Transport Action Group, said he was optimistic evidence given by BAA was not strong enough for the Government inspector to recommend overturn ing Uttlesford's unanimous decision.
Mr Histed, of Milden, said: "The weight of the evidence BAA has put forward is not enough to see the Government uphold their appeal.
"Suffolk currently suffers from much aircraft noise. To increase the number of flights is only going to make matters worse."
Among those who gave evidence at the inquiry were Suffolk councils and Halstead and north Essex MP Sir Alan Haselhurst.
The inspector spent a day at Sudbury town hall to hear local views.
Peter Sanders, chairman of Stop Stansted Expansion, said BAA had been "wholly unconvincing" in its efforts to persuade the inquiry that the development would have no material effects on the community or environment.
There was no evidence that backed BAA's claim that more passengers would boost the economy.
Nick Barton, Stansted's business development and planning director, said: "We now await the outcome of the inspector's report and the decision of the Government, but we remain very confident of the strong and compelling case we have made."
BAA believe that 3,800 additional jobs would be created and that tens of millions of pounds will be pumped into the local economy.
Inspector Alan Boyland will submit his recommendations to the Government by Christmas.
A final decision is expected early next year.

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