MORE than 61,000 new houses would need to be built around Stansted Airport if it were to become a major four-runway airport, according to a new report.

MORE than 61,000 new houses would need to be built around Stansted Airport if it were to become a major four-runway airport, according to a new report.

Even if it expanded to just two runways, a massive 47,700 new houses would still be needed to service it.

The report, due to be published tomorrow, was jointly commissioned by Essex, Cambridge and Hertfordshire county councils to assess the impact on land and infrastructure should the airport expand.

'A Study of the Possible Urbanisation Implications of the Potential Expansion Options for Stansted' was prepared by consultants Colin Buchanan and Partners, and sets out a preferred strategy for future housing development within a 30 minute "drive time" from the airport.

With an additional runway, Braintree alone would have to find space for 2,900 new houses while Great Dunmow would have to expand by 5,800.

The strategy also proposes 14,600 new houses for Harlow and 7,300 for Stansted Mountfitchet.

It also proposes a new town near Felsted and another between Elsenham and Henham.

These two new towns would have almost 7,000 new houses each.

A further 2,000 new houses would be added to Bishop's Stortford and 1,000 houses at other sites in the local area.

Norman Mead, Chairman of pressure group Stop Stansted Expansion, said: "The report demonstrates that we face severe housing pressures in the years ahead and the last thing we need is another Heathrow on our doorstep - this whole area would become an urban sprawl.

"This is a wake-up call that we must all resist BAA's expansion plans and persuade the Government that it must not allow additional runways to be built."

A spokesman for Essex County Council said: "This study reveals the stark reality of just what a massive expansion of Stansted Airport would cause in terms of additional housing in the local environment.

"North West Essex would change out of all recognition."

Last night a spokeswoman for BAA said: "The decision on where new runways would go is a Government decision.

"These are not our expansion plans. However we agree there is need for further growth in the UK.

"In relation to housing requirements, that is not something we would have input to, but all things need to be considered at the appropriate time.

"We are currently waiting for the publication of the Government's white paper in December."