St Albans City and District Council is asking that a decision by Luton Borough Council’s Planning Committee related to the expansion of Luton Airport be called in*.
St Albans Council has written to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles, making a formal request for a call-in.
On 20 December 2013 Luton Borough Council Planning Committee granted permission for proposals which would increase capacity and passenger throughput at London Luton Airport.
Simon Rowberry, Interim Head of Planning and Building Control at St Albans City and District Council commented: “Luton Airport is severely constrained by its geography and close proximity to heavily populated areas. On local environmental and infrastructure issues, areas such as St Albans and Harpenden are seriously affected.
“In particular there is a need to consider the noise and traffic impact on nearby centres of population and the implications of airport passenger parking provision and public transport improvements. We are urging caution on a number of fronts.
“In addition, Luton Borough Council has a direct ownership and financial interest in the airport. They therefore have a close relationship with the applicant. That gives us cause to consider that Luton should not determine this significant and controversial decision as Local Planning Authority.”
What about the thousands of new jobs expanding the airport will create in Herts and Beds? These new jobs will be sustainable as they are local and do not need an expensive commute into London! The noise, traffic and public transport are a non issue. The airport has already got the new Luton Airport Parkway station, the M1 has been widened to 4 lanes in both directions and the Borough council has started work on M1 J10 road improvements with A1081 which removes that bottleneck. Frankly, for the sake of local growth and jobs Eric Pickles should get on with it!