THE deadline for the public to have their say on plans to double the size of Stansted Airport with a second terminal and runway has been extended.

THE deadline for the public to have their say on plans to double the size of Stansted Airport with a second terminal and runway has been extended.

Uttlesford District Council received a large number of requests for a three month extension due to the quantity of material submitted by airport owners BAA in the 38 planning applications relating to the runway bid.

These included important consultant authorities such as Essex and Hertfordshire County Councils, East of England Regional Assembly, Essex Wildlife Trust and the east of England Development Agency.

Roger Harborough, head of planning and housing strategy for Uttlesford District Council, said: “We have therefore decided to extend the consultation period by three months and the new closing date for submissions is now September 26, making an allowance for the intervening peak holiday period.

“The new deadline relates to all planning and listed building consent applications comprising the Generation 2 (runway bid) package submitted to the council for determination.”

The deadlines for comments to other bodies on the compulsory purchase orders and rail and strategic highways schemes are not affected.

Mr Harborough added: “The council still requests, however, that comments are sent in as soon as possible to assist in it logging and analysing responses.”

The land area for the proposed additional runway would cover around 442 hectares of land and 13 historic listed buildings would be demolished - with 10 of them being reconstructed elsewhere.

Carol Barbone, Stop Stansted Expansion campaign spokeswoman, said: “The extended deadline of an extra three months is very welcome as there is an awful lot of documentation for people to work through before a challenge can be made.

“It is very important that members of the public take the time to respond to the plans and stop the proposed second runway.”

A BAA spokesperson said: “While the extension to Uttlesford District Council's consultation period will allow some organisations more time to consider the G2 application and respond, we trust this delay will not adversely affect a start date for the inquiry.”

Further information about responding to the proposals is available on the website www.stanstedexplained.info

n Stansted Airport has received an international award in recognition of its attempts to encourage passengers to use public transport to travel to and from the airport.

The award for mobility management in companies was awarded by the International Transport Forum as currently 44% of passengers travel by bus, coach or rail to and from the airport which is the highest figure for a major UK airport.