A DECISION on controversial plans to expand Luton Airport looks set to be delayed, with a council admitting it does not have a date in mind.
Luton Borough Council (LBC) has said it will not set a decision date until it can work out the “technical details” of the application.
The borough council, a major shareholder of owner London Luton Airport Ltd (LLAL), is being asked to consider a series of works which would allow the airport to double its annual capacity to 18m passengers.
It’s a move opposed by Comet country MPs, campaign groups, and councils, who take issue with the impact it would have on neighbouring North Herts and Stevenage.
North Herts district and county councillor Richard Thake said: “They are not moving as quickly as people might have expected, or feared.
“As far as the district and county council are concerned, we have found no evidence of a comprehensive response to the access problems.”
Over the delay, he added: “We’ve yet to work out whether they know there’s some awkward questions coming or are having trouble getting answers.”
The county council’s environment, economy and community safety panel, which meets on Thursday, is undertaking technical analysis on noise and highways.
It is also working on a response to the consultation.
It comes as LBC told the Comet it did not have a date in mind for a decision to be made. In the meanwhile, it will accept public responses, extending a consultation which should have ended last month.
A spokesman said: “Representations are still being received and will be accepted up until the date of the development control committee meeting. However, as the technical details of the application are still being assessed, a committee date cannot be set at this time.”
He added: “The application is made up of a number of technical documents, including environmental and traffic impact assessments. All of these documents have to be evaluated as part of the assessment of the application.”
The Comet’s petition asking for the application to be called in is still running. If you haven’t already, add your name to the list at epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/44069
Another separate petition run by campaign group HALE (Hertfordshire Against Luton Expansion) is calling for a reduction in night flights. Visit www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/luton-airport-significantly-reduce-night-flights to sign.
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