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Redbridge backs Mayor's rejection of London City airport expansion

Redbridge Borough Council has released a statement supporting the Mayor of London’s refusal to grant permission for the expansion of London City Airport.

The council said it has serious concerns about the proposed expansion of the airport,which would have led to a concentration of flight paths in a narrower area in Redbridge.

The statement said: “Recognising residents’ concerns, we objected to the profound negative impact this would have on parts of the Borough, particularly Wanstead but also Barkingside, Clayhall and Fullwell.

“The proposed changes to flight paths would create significant noise and environmental issues, including air quality, for residents who live under the affected areas.”

Councillor Helen Coomb, Cabinet Member for Planning, Economy and Regeneration said, “We unequivocally back the refusal to grant permission for the expansion of London City Airport. Residents who would have suffered constantly will be very relieved that the expansion plans have been rejected.

“The damage that extra flights would cause should absolutely not be underestimated. Noise and air pollution from these planes would create unacceptable harm to the areas in the Borough that would be under the proposed flight paths. We have listened to our residents’ concerns and will continue to lobby hard against a concentration of flight paths in Redbridge.”

Ahead of an appeal enquiry that will take place in March 2016, the Council has written to the Planning Inspectorate to outline our strong opposition to the airport expansion. We have also expressed our serious misgivings on the limited consultation that was carried out by London City Airport.

The backing follows the announcement that a Chinese firm is set to enter the bidding war for the East London airport. Gingko Tree, a division of the Chinese state’s foreign exchange regulator, is allegedly talks with Australia’s Macquarie and is hoping to make an offer for London City Airport.

The airport’s current owners, Global Infrastructure Partners, is set to profit more than £1bn after the proposed sale of the facility, which came after the Mayor of London rejected plans to expand the airport.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .