Nearby residents 'bearing the burden' of a potential Luton Airport expansion, says campaigner
Although plans are yet to be confirmed, the Chancellor yesterday announced her full support for the expansion project
Opposition to an expansion of Luton Airport is already being voiced, following the Chancellor's backing of the project.
While a decision's expected in April, Rachel Reeves yesterday announced in her speech her full support for this project along with other major infrastructure projects for airports up and down the country.
Heathrow Airport was the big announcement of the day, with the long-anticipated and controversial building of third runway announced.
Locally, campaigners from Friends of Wigmore Park Stop Luton Airport Expansion have expressed their concerns over the environmental and community impact of the proposed development in Luton.
Pete White, a member of the group, said: "We are still against the expansion, primarily because of the environmental damage it’s going to cause to our part of East Luton and the surrounding area, which is already blighted by the airport operations now."
He pointed to existing issues with noise pollution, particularly from aircraft on the ground, which he said are not recognised in official complaint mechanisms.
"Where we are in East Luton, right on the side of the airport, we hear a lot of the aircraft noise on the ground that’s starting up, taxiing, engine runs and using auxiliary power units that can be quite intrusive," he said.
"You can’t complain about that noise because as far as the airport and Luton Borough Council are concerned, the aircraft noise on the ground does not exist."
Beyond noise, Mr White highlighted the loss of Wigmore Valley Park, which he described as "a fully mature wild park which sits on top of a refuge tip," earmarked as the site for a second terminal.
He also warned of increased traffic congestion and pollution in residential areas, exacerbated by airport parking overspill.
Concerns extend beyond Luton, with residents in Hertfordshire also voicing opposition.
Mr White was critical of the claim that the expansion plan adequately considers local voices, and said: "Hertfordshire, the residents of Breachwood Green and the residents of Flamstead and Markyate and St Albans and Harpenden are all flown over by outbound routes.
"Luton Rising has this unicorn policy in their expansion that’s called ‘green controlled growth’ and that they will put environmental issues of the people who suffer first.
But this project will be driven by whoever finances it, and whoever finances it is going to want a return on their investment as quickly as possible. Therefore, the environmental impacts on the people who live around the airport will always play second fiddle to the commercial income."
The decision on the expansion is expected to be announced by the Transport Secretary on April 3.
What does Luton Airport say?
Alberto Martin, Chief Executive Officer at London Luton Airport (LLA), commented: "As a major driver of the UK economy, the expansion of London Luton Airport fully aligns with the Government's sustainable growth agenda by making best use of existing infrastructure.
"Approval would unlock a new era of opportunity, boosting economic growth, enhancing connectivity, and creating up to 11,000 new jobs, with long-term benefits for our local communities.
"We eagerly await the Secretary of State’s decision."
The Airport detailed that plans to expand capacity to 32 million passengers per year would unlock £2.4 billion in investment and create up to 11,000 new jobs – increasing the airport’s contribution to Britain’s GDP by over 80%, reaching £3.3 billion annually by 2043.
In terms of local contribution, it assured that for every £1 spent per passenger, 53p is invested directly in local community causes – 20 times that of any other UK airport.
LLA added that it already supports 27,000 jobs in total - contributing £830 million per year to Luton’s economy, £1.3 billion to the Six Counties and £1.8 billion nationally.
Finally, it assured 60% of the airport’s supply chain spend is within a 25-mile radius - £110 million in 2024 alone.