Whilst the council has set out that it is generally supportive of the applicants’ desire to make best use of the single-use runway at Stansted Airport, as well as the local, regional and national economic benefits of doing so, it has concerns around matters relating to surface access, environmental issues, community impact mitigation and a lack of pre-application consultation.
These concerns, which could directly impact East Herts’ residents, mean that it is not currently able to support the application and has recommended that Uttlesford District Council should not grant planning permission for the development unless, or until, these issues are successfully resolved. East Herts Council would welcome the opportunity to engage with Uttlesford District Council and other key stakeholders in seeking successful resolutions to the areas of concern to help progress the application.
Cllr Vicky Glover-Ward, Executive Member for Planning and Growth at East Herts Council, said: “We welcome the opportunities for additional local employment that the expansion proposals for Stansted will bring, but these need to be balanced alongside the transport and environmental impacts that up to 51 million passengers per annum would have on our district and its residents.
“As we aim to meet our net zero goals, East Herts Council is therefore seeking assurances that the proposals will be sustainable and that any impacts will be successfully mitigated before any permission is granted.
We look forward to working with Uttlesford District Council and other key stakeholders to assist the process going forward.”
