Luton Rising has encountered another delay in its expansion plans for London Luton Airport. UK Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander has announced a three-month extension to the deadline for deciding on the Development Consent Order (DCO) application.
This marks the third delay in the decision-making process, prompting concern and frustration from stakeholders.
Paul Kehoe CBE, Independent Chair of Luton Rising said:This is now the third delay for a decision, and naturally we are disappointed as we are ready to move forward with our plans as quickly as possible and bring in investment to start delivering the benefits. Equally, we want to ensure the decision-making is robust, so stand ready to provide any additional information that might be requested of us.
Proposed Benefits of Expansion
The DCO application outlines ambitious plans for the sustainable growth of London Luton Airport. The expansion would involve extending the current airfield platform, constructing new airside and landside facilities, enhancing the surface access network and expanding the Luton DART automated people mover (APM) network.
This plan is projected to deliever significant economic and social benefits for Luton and its surrounding regions.
Key highlights of the proposal include:
- The creation of over 11,000 new jobs, representing the largest employment boost in the region in a generation
- An estimated 1.5 billion GBP annual contribution to the local economy
- An additional 13 million GBP in yearly funding for local community organisations.
Luton Rising also emphasised the airport’s role in addressing local deprivation, noting that expansion would raise living standards in a town grappling with high levels of poverty.
Environmental Commitments
To address concerns about the environmental impact of the expansion, Luton Rising has proposed a Green Controlled Growth framework. This initiative introduces maximum limits for noise, greenhouse gas emissions, air quality, and surface access impacts.
Compliance with these limits would be monitored by an independent body with the authority to halt growth if targets are not met.
Mr Kehoe described the framework as one of the most comprehensive commitments to sustainable airport operation ever proposed in the UK.
The decision on the airport’s expansion is now expected in early 2025.
