Confusion at airport plans

MEMBERS of Luton Airport’s Consultative Committee have expressed their surprise at reports of a possible expansion for Luton Airport.

At the committee’s meeting at Putteridge Bury on Monday, Luton Borough Council’s director of customer and corporate services, Steve Heappey, told members there were only “indicative plans” and no “masterplan” to expand the airport.

The council, which is the majority shareholder in London Luton Airport Limited (LLAL), is in the process of hiring a consultant to look at expanding the airport.

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Mr Heappey said a planning application could go in as soon as next year, but continued to insist that there were no definite plans.

“LLAL really doesn’t have any firm plan to build a 30 million passenger airport or even a 17 million passenger airport.

“But as you would expect LLAL are looking at the long term strategy and is always considering its options.

“There isn’t a masterplan but 30 million passengers may be possible.”

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But there was confusion among members of the committee, which includes representatives from local councils, the airport and anti-noise groups.

Councillor Bernard Lloyd from Hertfordshire County Council said: “I feel we are at a new low. How can you put out a public document which refers to a masterplan and then you come here and say you haven’t got a masterplan? The bidders’ document says that to expand the airport will need to extend beyond its current boundary.

“I have deep concerns about the future.”

Michael Holden of the Breachwood Green Society called the developments “very disturbing”.

The airport is currently run by London Luton Airport Operations Ltd (LLAOL), which is contracted until 2028. There is a one-off break clause that would allow LLAL to end the operator’s contract in 2014, but Mr Heappey said no decision had been made and that “dialogue” was continuing.