Stop Stansted Expansion (SSE) started to give evidence this week at the public inquiry looking into the airport s expansion plans. Airport operator BAA appealed against Uttlesford District Council s decision in November to reject the removal of the cap o

Stop Stansted Expansion (SSE) started to give evidence this week at the public inquiry looking into the airport's expansion plans.

Airport operator BAA appealed against Uttlesford District Council's decision in November to reject the removal of the cap of 25 million passengers and to increase the number of air transport movements to 264,000 each year.

SSE is giving evidence at the inquiry, which is being held at the airport, until next Friday. It will detail the area's historical background, air quality, potential housing impacts and quality of life.

President of the Inuit Circumpolar Council in Greenland, Aqqaluk Lynge, is due to address the inquiry next Friday.

Counsel for SSE, Paul Stinchcombe, said: "For local residents, BAA's offer of a cap of 35 million passengers per annum [mppa], typifies the incrementalist approach to development at Stansted which has so bedeviled its recent planning history."

Mr Stinchcombe added: "On BAA's own evidence, the inquiry can be sure that there will be a further application, either for a second runway or for the lifting of the 35mppa cap."

The public inquiry which started on May 30 is expected to end on October 19. The inspector will submit a report after then with recommendations to the Secretary of State for Communities, Local Government and Secretary of State for Transport for a decision.

An announcement is expected in spring 2008.

The inquiry into the removal of the passenger cap is separate from BAA's plans, announced in January, for a second runway and new terminal.

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