Stop Stansted Expansion

Stop Stansted Expansion (SSE) is a pressure group established in 2002 in response to the Government's consultation on expanding UK airports and, particularly, in response to expansion plans for Stansted Airport subsequently defined in the Air Transport White Paper in December 2003.

The group's stated objective is to restrict the development of Stansted Airport within tight limits that it claims are sustainable and, in this way, to protect the quality of life of its supporters over wide areas of Essex, Hertfordshire and Suffolk, to preserve local heritage and to protect the natural environment.

The organisation has already delayed the time-frame for second runway plans for Stansted by four years (from 2011 to 2015).

On the more immediate threat of expansion on Stansted’s single runway, SSE's response to BAA's planning application for unlimited passenger use and an increase in aircraft numbers highlighted its view of flaws in BAA's plans. The planning application was subsequently refused by the planning authority, Uttlesford District Council. This is now being examined at Public Inquiry.

SSE is confident that the airport operator's plans for a second runway will be soundly defeated at the Public Inquiry – just as two previous Public Inquiries and a Royal Commission over the last 40 years have all ruled out additional runways on environmental grounds. In addition, when the new terminal was approved in the mid-1980s the Government 'unreservedly' accepted the recommendation of the independent Inspector that there should NEVER be a second runway at Stansted.

On each occasion, the community mobilised to oppose the plans and SSE is determined that once again a mass of economic and environmental evidence will be presented at Public Inquiry to demonstrate the reasons why this latest application should also be turned down.

A key part of the campaign is to encourage responses to the application to Uttlesford District Council. The Council has received over a thousand letters of opposition to date with many more expected to follow.

[http://www.stopstanstedexpansion.co.uk]