A DECISION on whether Stansted Airport will be allowed to increase the number of passengers travelling though its terminal is to be delayed in order for Uttlesford District Council to gather more information and for a second consultation to be run.

It is now not known when the council will make a decision on Manchester Airports Group’s application to increase the number of passengers the Essex airport can handle each year from 35 million to 43 million.

The council had expected to debate the application on July 18 after it was submitted and followed by a public consultation that closed on April 30 .

Ongoing discussions are taking place with among others Highways England, Essex and Hertfordshire county councils and Natural England to examine the robustness of the application, particularly in relation to surface access, noise and air quality.

As part of the consideration of the application, and following negotiations with the applicant, the description of the development has also been revised to provide clarity regarding the limit on cargo movements.

The revised description seeks permission for airfield works comprising two new taxiway links to the existing runway (a Rapid Access Taxiway and a Rapid Exit Taxiway), six additional remote aircraft stands, and three additional aircraft stands to enable combined airfield operations of 274,000 aircraft movements and a throughput of 43 million terminal passengers in a year.

A further consultation will be carried out once the additional information is received.

The council also anticipates holding at least one public speaking session.

Further details on the consultation and public speaking arrangements are set to be released in due course.