Stansted submits plans for second runway by 2015

BAA has submitted its planning application for the development of a second runway at Stansted Airport and said that the development brings greater choice for millions of travellers "a step closer".

If the plans are approved, Stansted will be the site of the first new runway in south-east England in more than 50 years.

A two-runway, two-terminal Stansted could be open by 2015 and serve 68 million passengers a year by 2030.

BAA set out a number of key features to its development plan, including the creation of over 13,000 new jobs by 2030 and a goal for CO2 emissions from energy use to be no higher in 2030 than they were in 2006.

Sir Nigel Rudd, chairman of the airport operator, said: "BAA is proud to reach this significant milestone in the future development of Stansted. We remain fully committed to building a second runway, a project that is central to government policy in delivering additional runway capacity in the south-east.

"This important project will bring huge benefits to the east of England and UK economy, and will increase choice and opportunity for millions of business and leisure travellers."

Plans were submitted to the government recently to build a new runway at Heathrow Airport and proved highly controversial with environmental campaigners.