EXPANSION plans for Stansted Airport are the “greatest single threat to historic buildings since the Second World War”, it has been claimed. Airport operator BAA is proposing a second runway and revealed its preferred location in December last year.

EXPANSION plans for Stansted Airport are the “greatest single threat to historic buildings since the Second World War”, it has been claimed.

Airport operator BAA is proposing a second runway and revealed its preferred location in December last year.

The company has invited comment from all concerned parties and yesterday saw the end of its consultation period.

But the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings has launched a stinging attack on the proposals which could lead to the loss of a number of ancient monuments in the surrounding area.

The society also claims the web of ancient villages outside the area of direct threat would be damaged by noise and pollution.

The report states: “The plans continue to represent the greatest single threat to historic buildings since the Second World War and fall seriously short of our of real aspirations and expectations for quality of life and the environment in the Third Millennium.

“The enormity of the damage that would be visited upon historic buildings, monuments, sites and landscapes cannot be overestimated.

“It is not just about a few extra flights and a new strip of tarmac. Any additional runway would effectively be the equivalent of another airport when all the accompanying services and infrastructure are taken into account.”

It states the area around Stansted is a landscape “wonderfully rich in history” - in terms of the number and variety of distinctive communities and villages, as well as individual buildings of note.

The report's author, Douglas Kent, technical secretary, insisted the society's was not “anti-aviation”, but believed the area had made enough “sacrifices to its heritage over the past 15 to 20 years to accommodate expansion at Stansted Airport”.

A BAA spokesman said yesterday: “We welcome all responses to the public consultation on the short-listed options for the second runway at Stansted.

“There will be careful consideration of the comments and views from the local community, airlines, elected representatives, local authorities and many others as we decide on and develop the proposals we wish to take through the planning process.”