Luton Airport expansion plans slammed by St Albans councillors

The airport wants to increase the capacity of passengers to 32 million a year by 2040, up from 18 million.

Now St Albans District Council has joined Hertfordshire County Council in opposing the proposals.

Read more: Hertfordshire County Council objects to Luton Airport expansion

At a meeting on December 2, St Albans District Council’s planning referrals committee spoke out against the plans, which include a second terminal, a new apron for additional aircraft, and a new multi-storey car park.

Councillors agreed to send “a strong objection” to the airport on behalf of the council, highlighting the impact noise and air pollution would have on residents across St Albans and Harpenden.

The number of flights arriving and leaving Luton could increase from 34 an hour to 49 by 2040 if the airport expansion is agreed.

Labour Cllr Katherine Gardener said the climate change argument was becoming “ever stronger” and that it would start to change people’s behaviours.

While Conservative Cllr Sandra Wood said parts of St Albans were already “badly affected” by flights from the airport and that these plans would make it “worse” – not just in the skies, but through pollution and congestion on the roads.

However Liberal Democrat Cllr Chris Brazier suggested their concerns may not be backed by all residents in the district – with many valuing an airport close by.

He said: “I will support the argument against it but it is a difficult one. We do have a lot of residents who are against us on this.”

The officer’s report to the meeting did point to some of the steps the airport intends to take to address some of the concerns raised.

These include planned highways improvements, links to public transport and parking to counter increases in transport and demand for parking – as well as measures to address air quality.

Luton Airport is conducting a consultation on the plans, which is set to close on December 16.