Luton airport expansion approved by government

London Luton Airport will see annual passenger numbers almost double to 32 million by 2043 after the government approved expansion plans.

It comes despite the Planning Inspectorate recommending Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander rejects them over environmental concerns.

Luton Rising, the airport's owners, said the decision could bring "significant economic, employment and social benefits for our town".

However, environmental campaigners said "with climate change worsening, the last thing any of us need is 70,000 more aircraft a year".

Due to the scale of the project, the airport had to submit a Development Consent Order to the Secretary of State for Transport for a final decision.

The decision had been delayed three times - most recently so newly appointed Alexander could have more time to consider the application.

Paul Kehoe, the independent chair of Luton Rising which is owned by Luton Borough Council, said: "At a new capacity of 32 million passengers per year, our scheme will deliver up to 11,000 new jobs, additional annual economic activity of up to £1.5bn, and up to an additional £13m every year for communities and good causes."

Andrew Lambourne of campaign group LADACAN, which has opposed the expansion, said the government had ignored local people.

He said: "The government has said it believes in local decision making, yet has ignored the 90% of residents, groups and councils which strongly opposed this application because they know it is out-of-keeping with the area.

"People living under the flight path are already at risk of health damage from being awoken by night flights, so adding 70% more is inhumane.

"And with climate change worsening, the last thing any of us need is 70,000 more aircraft a year creating greenhouse gases and contrails."