Portsmouth Climate Action Network

Ten million more passengers a year will go through Stansted airport and 23,000 more flights after the government  approved its expansion, angering environmental critics.

The transport secretary, Geoff Hoon, granted permission for the airport to increase flights from 241,000 to 264,000 and raise the number of passengers from 25 million to 35 million.

Permission was originally refused by Uttlesford district council in November 2006 on grounds of noise and environmental concerns.

The government overruled the council, after an appeal by the airports operator  BAA and a lengthy public inquiry.

Green groups are accusing the government of approving the expansion in defiance of its own commitment to reduce CO2 emissions and tackle climate change.

This week, the UK government's official climate change advisers said a cut in greenhouse gas emissions of at least 80% by 2050 should include international aviation – as raised by Gordon Brown at last month's party conference.

Friends of the Earth said the Stansted decision showed the government's climate change strategy was "a complete shambles". The senior Greenpeace transport campaigner, Anita Goldsmith, said: "Labour has promoted a binge-flying culture in Britain for too long, and unfortunately it looks like it will be business as usual from the new transport secretary."

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For comments from the Guardian's Leo Hickman

Last update : 10-10-2008 17:22

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