Luton Airport expansion: Public consultation opens

A public consultation has opened into plans to boost Luton Airport's passenger numbers.

Last month, London Luton Airport Limited (LLAL) announced proposals to handle 18 million passengers a year, up from 11.5 million.

It aims to achieve this within the airport's current boundary and using its existing runway.

The plans will be on show at a series of public exhibitions around the region until 8 March.

It is hoped that 6,000 jobs will be created under LLAL's "futureLuToN:Optimisation" project which will include improvements to the airport's congested road network, car parking, passenger terminal and aircraft taxiways.

The chairman of LLAL, Councillor Robin Harris, said: "Through the consultation, we will work hard to ensure that everyone has the maximum opportunity to understand our proposals to optimise the airport, create new job opportunities and attract business to the area and to express their views, whatever their opinion."

In Bedfordshire, the plans will be on display in Luton, Caddington, Leighton Buzzard and Dunstable, while in Hertfordshire they can be seen in Flamstead, Whitwell, Hitchin, Harpenden, Stevenage, Wheathampstead, and Breachwood Green.

LLAL has said it intends to submit a planning application for consideration in or around April, at which time a further statutory consultation will be undertaken by Luton Borough Council as planning authority.