Four leading UK airports announced expansions plans in 2018, creating many issues for many locals who care for the environment they live in. Each airport expansion has a huge knock on effect on the communities around them and not everyone is the most pleased about this, especially here in Essex.
Southend Airport took on more flights last year, causing issues for those who own a house at the end of the Charlie Taxiway. The government has received a lot of hassle from this decision. A Southend Airport spokesman said: "The airport has ambitious plans to grow, and will continue to work closely with the CAA to ensure the airport remains safe and environmentally responsible for all our stakeholders."
Stansted Airport (only 47 miles away from Southend) also released plans expand, and are currently focusing their time on improving the facilities within the airport. The inside of Stansted is currently undergoing a major reconstruction, with the already busy airport now being filled with workmen and equipment.
In November 2018, Uttlesford council approved plans to expand the airport to facilitate 43 million passengers a year. This includes a separate arrivals terminal. Meaning the current structure will be used only for departures. The whole building will need reconstructing and there is also a scheme starting this year to improve the accessibly to the airport from both the M11 and the A120.
Local Resident Jack Lavington lives 1.3 miles away from the airport and had a few opinions on the original airport expansion plans:
Jack explained how he believes Uttlesford Council should have put the expansion to a residential vote; “I’m sure there has been an impact analysis on how much the new flights will effect the local economy. But pure and simple, other facilities should have been considered. For example, where I live is constantly packed with cars from those who don’t wish to pay for airport parking. They should have consulted with the with residents to discuss this impact as well as where we wanted the expansion or not.”
Jack then elaborated on his fears for how the expansion may effect is current living situation; “With the amount of people we now have coming into the area, and the expansion on housing is already having a detrimental effect on the infrastructure and facilities that are available. So now the idea of more flights and potentially a change in flight paths is a real concern.”
In 2019 plans came to halt when the decision was referred back to the planning committee after the elections. There was new elements to the expansion that needed to be considered, which were different to the original plans in 2018. The new deal is looking to be sorted during council meetings taking place on the 17th and 24th of January.
Stansted chief executive Ken O'Toole said: "We have listened to the community from the outset and remain absolutely committed to delivering additional passenger growth in a sustainable manner, without an increase in the number of permitted flights and within a smaller noise footprint than our existing permission requires."