The government have rubber stamped plans to increase capacity at Stansted airport, allowing for an additional 23,000 annual flights and a potential increase in passenger numbers from 25 million to 35 million.
The proposal, which was originally rejected by Uttlesford district council in November 2006 on grounds of noise and environmental concerns, was subject to appeal, and after a lengthy public inquiry was given support by the transport secretary, Geoff Hoon, and communities and local government sectretary, Hazel Blears.
The two government departments involved in the decision stated in a letter to BAA that plans would bring "large economic benefits", and that while an increase in nitrogen levels in the local are were a "cause for concern", they could not see "any material consideration that would justify refusing planning permission".
Stansted's managing director, Stewart Wingate, said the decision was "great news" for passengers, and for businesses in the region.
The decision has angered green groups however, who are concerned about the impact of aviation on global climate patterns.
Friends of the Earth said: "Only this week the Government was advised to cut UK carbon dioxide emissions by 80 per cent by 2050 - allowing airports to grow will make these targets almost impossible to meet."
"Ministers must abandon their airport expansion plans, invest in cleaner alternatives to short-haul flights such as fast rail links, and include Britain's share of international aviation emissions in its climate change targets."
Tony Bosworth, transport campaigner for the group, said: "Allowing 10 million more people to fly from Stansted each year shows the Government's climate change strategy is a complete shambles."
The Liberal Democrats transport spokesman, Norman Baker, said: "This is further evidence that the government is in the pocket of the aviation industry. It shows the gaping void between its environmental rhetoric and reality. Ministers like to talk green, but their actions show they are only too willing to increase carbon emissions."
FoE, The Guardian
