Luton Airport’s expansion plans, billed as the “biggest job creation programme in a generation” have been delayed for a third time by the government.
The airport wants to increase the annual capacity of its site from 18 million passengers to 32 million.
This would include building a new terminal, plus new airside and landside facilities which would combine to create over 11,000 new jobs, and add an additional £1.5bn to the economy each year.
Originally a decision was expected in August but was delayed until January 2025 after the general election saw Louise Haigh MP take over as Transport Secretary.
However, she quit after it was revealed that she pleaded guilty to a fraud offence a decade ago.
Heidi Alexander MP took over the portfolio last month and then yesterday, in a written statement, the new Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander to parliament said the decision on the airport’s expansion plans will now be pushed back to April 3, 2025.
She said, the three-month delay is to allow her the “appropriate time to fully consider this complex application before making a final determination.”
However, the Transport Department will “endeavour” to make a decision before April “where possible.”
In response to the announcement, Paul Kehoe CBE, the Independent Chair of Luton Rising, the Luton Council company that owns London Luton Airport, said: “This is now the third delay for a decision and naturally we are disappointed as we are ready to move forward with our plans as quickly as possible and bring in investment to start delivering the benefits.
“Equally, we want to ensure the decision-making is robust so stand ready to provide any additional information that might be requested of us.
“Our application highlights how the long-term sustainable growth of London Luton Airport will bring incredible and transformational economic, employment and positive social impact benefits for Luton and the neighbouring regions.
“With over 11,000 new jobs, it would be the region’s biggest job creation programme in a generation, adding an additional £1.5bn more in the economy each year. Airport expansion is central to our mission to raising the standard of living and tackling deprivation in a town where poverty is too high and is fully deliverable without the need for any government investment.
“London Luton Airport is already by far the UK’s most socially impactful airport, as we’ve provided over £300 million to support important Council front-line services since 1998, together with an additional £180 million for vital voluntary, community and charitable organisations. Expansion would add an additional £13 million more each year for local community organisations.
“As we’ve demonstrated all along, we will not grow at the expense of the environment and believe our proposals have some of the most far-reaching commitments to the sustainable operation of an airport ever put forward in the UK.
“Our unique and ground-breaking Green Controlled Growth framework would introduce maximum limits for the airport’s noise, greenhouse gases, air quality and surface access impacts which would be governed by a new independent body with the ability to call a halt to growth if the airport does not keep within the limits. We look forward to a decision being made as quickly as possible.”
Be the first to comment