Stansted: Environmental campaigners opposing the expansion of Stansted Airport are undeterred in their fight, despite airport operator BAA being given the go-ahead to build a fifth terminal at Heathrow.

North West Essex and East Herts Preservation Association general secretary Norman Mead said: "The go-ahead for terminal five coupled with the recent authorisation for Gatwick to expand to 40m passengers per annum shows clearly that this government has not the slightest regard for environmental issues and has succumbed to pressures from the aviation industry and its enticements of riches untold.

"I would hope the local councils would take a very considered view of this when deciding whether to grant permission for Stansted. It's clear in my mind two wrongs don't make a right, and I believe they've got it wrong at Heathrow."

He added: "Any attempt to develop Stansted beyond the currently authorised 15m passengers a year will be strenuously opposed by us and other bodies representing the interests of people and the preservation of our national heritage.

"We've got too much at stake here. In my book there are too many precious environmental features in this area, in fact more than in any other district in Essex, at risk. There's simply too much at stake and we've got to try to defend it."

Mr Mead, who is also chairman of Great Hallingbury parish council which covers one of the areas worst affected by the airport's flightpaths, believes it is time the government moved away from developing inland airports.

"Stansted business continues to grow and I think the pressure will still be on for further development here. However, the days of major inland airports must now be numbered. The government has got to start actively thinking about off-shore airports like in Hong Kong and Japan.

"Over there there are no flight restrictions so less opposition against expansion. We're all firmly of the view that the only sustainable way ahead is for the government actively to encourage the design and construction of off-shore airports. I believe this has got to be the way forward in future."

December 6, 2001 18:30