CONTROVERSIAL plans for a second runway at Stansted will be decided upon by the Government after a public inquiry, it was revealed today.

CONTROVERSIAL plans for a second runway at Stansted will be decided upon by the Government after a public inquiry, it was revealed today.

Hazel Blears, Communities and Local Government (CLG) Secretary, has called in the BAA scheme and an inquiry will be held in “due course” before ministers make the final decision.

A CLG spokesperson said: “The Government has today called in planning applications for a second runway at Stansted airport. A public inquiry will be held in due course. Anyone who wishes to express a view on the proposals can do so.

“These applications have been called in because this is a very large proposal of regional and national significance. An independent planning inspector will make a formal recommendation following the inquiry and the final decision will be taken by Ministers.”