Luton Airport Expansion Consultation

Hertfordshire County Council has provided an initial response to the launch of Luton Airport’s expansion consultation.

Derrick Ashley, Cabinet Member for Growth, Infrastructure, Planning and the Economy at Hertfordshire County Council said: ‘We have deep concerns over London Luton Airport Limited’s plans to expand the airport and increase passenger numbers to 32 million passengers a year.

‘We continue to have serious concerns about the impact of aircraft noise on nearby towns and villages. We’re also very concerned about how an extra 14 million passengers a year will actually get to the airport without this causing serious problems on Hertfordshire’s roads.

‘We’ll be taking a very close look at the airport’s sustainable transport plans to make sure that they encourage people travelling to and from the airport to use more sustainable options, such as bus and rail. We also need to make sure that there are robust proposals to deal with potential impacts on the road network.

‘There are clearly some economic benefits that would come with the growth of London Luton Airport, but these need to be balanced against the impact any expansion would have on the neighbouring areas, and with wider environmental impacts. We have recently declared a climate emergency, as have Luton so proposals of this nature need to be carefully considered against the need to prioritise environmental sustainability.

‘In addition, London Luton Airport Limited is owned by Luton Borough Council and almost all the financial benefit of the airport is retained within Luton. However the impacts of the airport go far wider than Luton’s administrative boundary. We are calling on Luton Borough Council to commit to spreading the revenue generated by the airport to neighbouring areas, where it can benefit and support communities, support upgrading infrastructure and protect and enhance the environment.

‘We will be examining the proposals over the coming months and submitting a response by the 16 December deadline. I would urge all local residents who have an interest in the airport to do likewise.’

Find out more about the consultation or respond yourself.

A series of events will be taking place in different areas. Local ones include:

Tuesday 29 October, Dagnall Village Hall 4-8pm
Friday 1 November, Pitstone Memorial Hall 2-8pm
Friday 8 November, Berkhamsted Civic Centre 3-7pm
Wednesday 4 December, Nora Grace Hall, Tring 2-8pm

If you’re unable to attend an event, materials are also available at Baldock Library, Beacon Villages Community Library in Ivinghoe, Harpenden Library, Hemel Hempstead Library, Tring Library and Wendover Community Library. A full list of events and locations can be found here.