STANSTED’S boss has confirmed BAA’s commitment to a second runway at the airport.
Managing director David Johnston was responding to the latest moves by John Denham,
the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, about the start of a public inquiry into the building project.
The cabinet minister stepped in after the Competition Commission launched an appeal against the overturning of its order that BAA must sell Stansted, Gatwick and a Scottish Airport. The operator had persuaded the Competition Appeal Tribunal the decision was flawed, but the reprieve is now in doubt.
Mr Denham said in a letter yesterday (Wednesday, February 10): “It is clear to me that the ownership issues around the airport will not be fully resolved for some time. Taken together with my previous commitment to a minimum of eight weeks notice between a formal announcement and the start of the inquiry, I have concluded that the inquiry cannot reasonably start until after the next General Election (the latest date for which is Thursday, June 3).
“Additionally, given that the planning applications, orders and associated documentation were originally submitted nearly two years ago, I consider there will clearly be a need for the applicant to re-visit some of this material.
“This being the case, I would like to invite BAA to advise me formally what their future intentions are, firstly regarding the planning applications and orders, and secondly, if they are to pursue the proposal for a second runway, around the timescales they might envisage for the inquiry to open, to ensure that any delay is minimised.”
However Mr Johnston told the
Observer: "We believe the case for a second runway at Stansted remains strong and are committed to taking that case to the inquiry when the Government decides it is appropriate to do so."