Newham Council’s strategic development committee has voted unanimously to block London City Airport’s plans for expansion.
In a meeting yesterday (10 July), the committee rejected plans that would increase a limit on passengers from 6.5 million to nine million a year.
The airport’s plans would have also seen its operating hours on Saturdays extended past a current curfew of 12:30pm, so that flights could arrive and depart until 18:30, or 19:30 during British Summer Time.
Newham Council said it had become ‘a reasonable expectation of nearby residents to receive the benefits’ of the current curfew, which has been in place for approximately 24 years.
The council received 1,719 responses to consultation letters it sent to residents, of which 1,644 rejected the airport expansion.
The objections related to climate change, air quality, noise, transport impacts, and the impact on jobs and the economy.
Nine neighbouring councils also opposed the proposals.
A London City spokesperson said the airport was ‘disappointed’ with the decision.
The spokesperson said: ‘We firmly believe in our proposals, which are carefully balanced and make best use of our infrastructure. We are actively considering next steps.’
A council spokesperson said: ‘Newham Council has declared a climate emergency and is working to support residents to live happily, healthily and well.’
This article first appeared on localgov.co.uk.
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