Business Weekly - Cambridge, UK

Terry Morgan, Stansted’s managing director, said: “We remain very confident of our case which is why we have now lodged this appeal.

“In doing so, we firmly reject each and every one of the council's reasons for refusal. It’s our view that the council failed to attach appropriate weight to the direct, specific and up-to-date national policy support for growth at Stansted as set out in the Government’s 'Future of Air Transport' White Paper.

“We also consider that it failed to take account of the large net economic benefits that would be generated.

"We were also disappointed that several of the reasons for refusal cite that BAA has not put forward adequate mitigation measures. Yet at no time did the Council discuss such measures with us or respond to the proposals we put forward to reduce impacts which could have resolved some of their

concerns.

"On climate change, the Council’s view is incoherent. They claim it would be premature to grant planning permission until the Government has clarified its response to the Stern Review. BAA argue that there is nothing in the Stern Review or the Government's potential response to it that could reasonably lead the council to suppose that the Government will be calling for a halt to any further growth at Stansted.

“Our application was fully in line with the terms of local and regional structure plans and we don’t believe the council has given any substantial reason to justify refusing our application because it is not in accordance with those plans.

“I can only reiterate, we remain very confident of the case we have made and that this will be fully recognised at public inquiry.”