03 Apr 2025
The Government has approved plans for the expansion of London Luton Airport from 19 million passengers per year to 32 million by the mid-2040s.
Campaigners claim the move will unlock £1.5 billion in economic growth for the region.
Airport owners Luton Rising submitted a Development Consent Order (DCO) in February 2023 because the proposal was considered to be of such a size and scale that it is deemed a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project.
The Planning Inspectorate had recommended rejection of the proposals by Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander because of environmental concerns.
The first reactions to the decision have not been positive.
St Albans MP Daisy Cooper described it as a “travesty”.
“Today’s decision is a travesty and sets a terrible precedent that the Government is willing to overrule the Planning Inspector who raised environmental concerns.
“This expansion will barely deliver any economic growth, and will instead bring massive climate damage. It flies in the face of advice from economists and climate experts, and the Planning Inspector, and will cause further misery for St Albans residents living under flight paths.
“The Government’s own climate advisors made clear that airport expansions should not proceed until the Government puts a framework in place to control carbon and other emissions; and economists have warned that such expansions could wipe out the carbon savings of the Government’s own clean power plans.
“I know that the vast majority of St Albans residents will share my deep disappointment that the Government seems to have lost the courage of its convictions, and is so far failing to deliver the urgent change people want to see by focussing on sustainable development and tackling the climate crisis.”
Her comments were echoed by Harpenden MP Victoria Collins, who added: “Today’s decision is, undoubtedly, a major blow for our local community. It’s set to raise noise pollution levels for local residents, add pressures to our infrastructure and inhibit the fight against the climate crisis, in a move experts have already suggested won’t improve growth.
“I know it will be a huge let down for residents, groups and organisations I’ve worked with to oppose this expansion, including councillors and the Luton and District Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise (LADACAN).
“It’s alarming not only for the trajectory of cutting carbon emissions and protecting our local environment, but will be deeply worrying for areas across Harpenden already plagued by noise pollution. The Government have overlooked the advice of experts, concerns of our community, and squandered the opportunity to mitigate the harms of expansion by introducing an emissions framework.
“I’ll now be continuing to hold them to account on this, on upholding their climate commitments, and will keep fighting to protect our local area from the negative consequences of the Government’s decision.”
Former Conservative Parliamentary candidate for Harpenden, Nigel Gardner, was also unhappy with the decision: “The consequences of the Government’s decision will be felt on our doorsteps and in our playgrounds and back gardens for decades to come.
“I grew up under a Luton flightpath, with my parents complaining about the noise. In those days there was a fraction of the air traffic. I simply dread to think of all the extra noise, pollution, and added traffic on the Lower Luton Road and our other local thoroughfares.
“This is a slap in the face for all the local people who have spoken up against this senseless plan – and a sad, sad day for anyone who cares about the climate.”
Simon Grover, leader of St Albans Greens and Independents group, added: “The Green Party stands firmly against the Government’s decision to approve the expansion of Luton Airport. This move flies in the face of climate science, environmental commitments and public concern.
“The airport’s plan to almost double passenger numbers would lead to more noise, more air pollution, and more climate-damaging emissions. These harms will fall hardest on local communities already affected by the airport’s operations.
“There is no credible way to increase flight numbers and reduce emissions at the same time. The Government’s own Climate Change Committee has said that airport expansion must stop if the UK is to meet its climate targets. Yet ministers have ignored that advice.
“The Government claims the expansion will create jobs. But the Green Party believes jobs should come from green industries, not by pushing through projects that damage our health, our countryside and our future.
“The veteran trees in Wigmore Valley Park cannot be replaced. Nor can the rare chalk grassland that will be lost. And the noise from more flights will disrupt the daily lives of people living in Luton, North Herts and surrounding areas.
“There is a better way. We want a better airport, not a bigger one – an airport that serves local people without putting profit ahead of planet.
“We urge local MPs, councils and communities to stand with us in opposing this expansion. It’s not too late to change course.”
St Albans Conservatives group leader Cllr Matt Cowley said: “I recognise the important role that the airport plays in Luton’s economy and the wider local economy – indeed many people in our district work at the airport.
“But it is concerning that the Government have approved expansion against the Planning Inspector’s advice and particular concerns about the impact on our environment.
“Local Conservatives at all levels – including our former Member of Parliament Bim Afolami – have consistently sought to protect residents against the negative impacts that expansion could bring.
“Given the airport’s record on sticking to its approved noise levels, our local Conservative team will be pro-active in holding them to account to make sure that all conditions are followed and the impact on residents’ peaceful enjoyment of our town is as limited as possible.
“And we’ll be demanding that the Government deliver upgraded capacity on our road and train networks to cope with increased passenger numbers.”
