Stansted Airport expansion
Uttlesford District Council is taking every possible step to ensure that the character of our area is preserved. If you want to follow what we’re doing, or engage in the process – here’s a great way of doing it.
Stansted Airport has expanded steadily over the last 30 years. As guardians of the character of the district, Uttlesford District Council has been consistently robust in their approach to the numerous planning applications they have considered over the years.
Milestones
1942
Stansted airport started life as a USAAF bomber base during World War two.
1960’s
During the package holiday explosion, Stansted grew to become known as London's third major airport.
The airport's future became uncertain shortly after this, as the huge number of complaints and protestations about the possible development of the airport led to plans for its growth being scrapped by the government.
This all changed when a world oil crisis occurred and other airport options became too expensive. The increasing demand amongst the holidaymaking British public led to a turnaround in government policy and the development was given the go-ahead.
1969: The growth in demand led to Stansted being bought out by the British Airports Authority (BAA), who developed the terminal.
1972
BAA extended Stansted further.
1984
Stansted airport gained approval for expansion to accommodate a larger number of passengers.
1986
Work began on the main terminal that stands today.
1991
The new terminal was opened, and Stansted won awards for the building. Stansted is now known as the UK's forth major airport, and the British home of the budget airline.
2003
The Government published The Future of Air Transport White Paper, which recommended a second runway at Stansted.
BAA applied to Uttlesford District Council (UDC) for permission to expand the airport. UDC granted permission on the condition that passenger numbers are restricted to 25 million a year.
In December 2003 the Government announced the decision to locate a second runway at Stansted. BAA was tasked to bring forward plans for the development.
2004
Uttlesford District Council joins forces with Essex and Hertfordshire County Councils and East and North Hertfordshire District Councils to mount a legal challenge to the Government’s Airport White Paper.
2005
On December 9 BAA launched a three-month consultation on the options it short-listed for the location of the second runway at Stansted Airport – a project called Generation 2.
2006
April: BAA submitted a planning application (Generation 1) seeking an increase on the limits imposed three years ago by the council. It wants to have the current 25m passenger and 241,000 flights per year restrictions raised to 35m passengers and 264,000 flights.
Summer: BAA will announce the outcome of the consultation on their second runway proposal (Generation 2).
September 27: UDC decision on BAA planning application due.
2007
End 2006/Early 2007: BAA began consultation on their draft Final Airport master plan that outlined the development of Stansted as a two-runway airport.
Uttlesford District Council remains adamant in their opposition to more runways at Stansted .
