Fury as plans for £2.4bn UK mega airport expansion delayed after huge update | UK | News

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The decision over whether London Luton Aiport will get the go-ahead for a major expansion has been delayed again.

Transport Secretary Louise Haigh has deferred the decision until 3 January 2025, after her predecessor Mark Harper deferred the decision until 10 August in May.

The proposed budget for the revamp of London Luton would be around £2.4bn, and would see passenger capacity swell from 18 million-a-year to 32 million-a-year.

In a written statement to Parliament, Ms Haigh said: “The reason for the extension is to enable the applicant further time to provide requested information, and for that information to be considered, including by interested parties, before the final determination of the application.”

According to the authors of the plan, the investment could support 11,000 new jobs and bring in an additional £1.5bn to the economy.

Luton Rising added: “In addition, expansion of our airport will deliver important new connectivity for the local area, helping to attract new businesses and improve productivity as well as allowing local residents more opportunities to visit friends and family and travel globally.”

Critics of the plan say it “would destroy quality of life for thousands of people and must be stopped.”

The plans would see the construction of a new terminal and new taxiways, but no new runway.

Under the proposals, the Luton Dart rail service would be extended and serve the new terminal, as well as the original.

The plans also include a new long stay car park with “emissions-based access”.

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