Plan agreed for London City Airport despite objections

London City Airport will pay all the costs of any soundproofing for residents

A £220 million project to expand London City Airport has been given the go-ahead, despite more than 1,000 people being against it.

Newham Council approved plans which will create 1,500 jobs and allow for more landings and take-offs at peak times.

The council said plans included flight restrictions, a noise barrier and soundproofing packages for residents.

A campaign group said once again the council had "ignored residents".

Local jobs

London City Airport said as part of the plan it would invest £6.8 million towards employment and education.

A spokesman said almost all of the money would be for Newham residents through the council's job brokerage scheme Workplace.

Newham Council said 24,420 properties were written to asking for views and they had received 1,330 objections and only 21 in support.

John Stewart, chairman of Hacan, an organisation representing residents against the expansion, said he was very disappointed the plan had been approved.

'Air pollution'

He said: "The expanse will mean more air pollution and more noise. We also think the amount of jobs London City Airport says it will create is exaggerated."

A council spokesman said as well as the thousands of people consulted over the plans, the application was also advertised in four local newspapers.

He said: "Some 250 site notices were erected across Newham, Tower Hamlets, Greenwich and Bexley. The consultation exercise was repeated three times when the environment statement was amended on two occasions following the submission of the original application."

Based on the responses received the council said it had listened to all views and agreed to the plan with 131 conditions, including limits on the numbers of passengers and restrictions on flights at certain times of the day.