The Planning Inspectorate has approved Stansted’s expansion plans after an appeal by the airport.
Last year, Uttlesford District Council rejected proposals to increase the Essex airport’s passenger cap from 35 to 43 million a year.
Before the pandemic, the airport saw 27 million passengers a year.
The appeal decision said: “Overall, the balance falls overwhelmingly in favour of the grant of planning permission. Whilst there would be a limited degree of harm arising in respect of air quality and carbon emissions, these matters are far outweighed by the benefits of the proposal and do not come close to indicating a decision other than in accordance with the development plan.”
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The airport said in July 2020 that the council’s ruling was “flawed” and it would appeal against the decision.
It said its proposals could be delivered without any increase in the number of flights that are currently allowed and include a legally binding commitment to reduce the airport’s noise ‘footprint’ and an enhanced sound insulation scheme for residential properties close to the airport.
The BBC reported that Stansted’s managing director, Steve Griffiths, said the airport “welcomed the decision” by the Planning Inspectorate.
He told the BBC that the decision showed “planning permission should have been granted by the council and the appeal should not have been necessary”.