Notes
Community
Stansted expansion gets green light
Clare residents who are concerned
about the build up of air traffic over the town will be disappointed to
hear that ten million more passengers a year will go through Stansted airport
and 23,000 more flights will be permitted following the government’s approval
for its expansion.
A local company syndicate
has just won £2.6 million on the National Lottery and it is all thanks
to the pet of one of the winners.
The 23 Jubilant workers from the syndicate at Havebury Housing Association, the majority of whom are based in its Manor Road offices in Haverhill, scooped £114,357 each in the National Lottery draw of November 15.
The winning line of numbers was chosen by office
caretaker, 57-year-old Jill Brown
from Haverhill - or more accurately, by her dog. Never was the phrase
‘Pets win Prizes’
more appropriate! For his role he was rewarded with his favourite treat,
some Cadbury's Buttons.
Mrs Brown, who has an 18-year-old daughter,
explained: "We just put the balls on
the floor with numbers on and tell him to go and get one, and he gets a
treat at the end of it." The syndicate, called Suffolk Lads and Lasses,
is made up of a variety of staff, including
technicians, cleaners and customer advisors and has
only been playing the Lottery for ten months.
Despite their winnings, none of the lucky 23, who are aged
The 23 Jubilant workers from the syndicate at Havebury Housing Association, the majority of whom are based in its Manor Road offices in Haverhill, scooped £114,357 each in the National Lottery draw of November 15.
The winning line of numbers was chosen by office
caretaker, 57-
Mrs Brown, who has an 18-
technicians, cleaners and customer advisors and has
only been playing the Lottery for ten months.
Despite their winnings, none of the lucky 23, who are aged
Uttlesford district council
leader, Jim Ketteridge, said the decision was a blow to the community. "Residents
already find the level of aircraft noise extremely disturbing and allowing
BAA to increase the amount of air traffic marks a further erosion of our
quality of life, particularly for all those living near Stansted airport.
"We are very disappointed that the appeal has been allowed but are redoubling our efforts to fight the second runway proposals."
Michelle Di Leo, the director of the pro-flying
lobby FlyingMatters, said the announcement was "very good news"
for millions of people who relied on air transport to visit friends and
family and do business abroad, as well as leisure travellers.
"The government's decision demonstrates
real confidence in the ability of the aviation industry to meet the twin
challenges of increased demand and the environment," she said.
"We are very disappointed that the appeal has been allowed but are redoubling our efforts to fight the second runway proposals."
Michelle Di Leo, the director of the pro-
LOCAL SYNDICATE BAG £2.6
million
The Big Prize
Winners
Winners
The transport secretary, Geoff
Hoon, has granted permission for the airport to increase flights from 241,000
to 264,000 and raise the number of passengers from 25 million to 35 million.
He announced the changes to Stansted's planning conditions in a written
statement to parliament in late October.
Permission was originally refused by Uttlesford district council in November 2006 on grounds of noise and environmental concerns. The government has overruled the council, after an appeal by the airports operator BAA and a lengthy public inquiry.
Stansted's managing director, Stewart Wingate, said the decision, taken by Hoon and the communities and local government secretary, Hazel Blears, was "great news" for passengers, and for businesses in the region.
Green groups reacted angrily, accusing the government of approving the expansion in defiance of its own commitment to reduce CO2 emissions and tackle climate change.
Graham Thompson, an activist with the stop Stansted expansion campaign group ‘Plane Stupid’ and one of those who occupied the roof of parliament to protest against airport expansion, said: "Whether it's Ruth Kelly or Geoff Hoon, it's quite clear that the minister for BAA is not working in the interests of Britain. Our democratic checks and balances are failing and escalating direct action is now inevitable."
The Liberal Democrats transport spokesman, Norman Baker, said: "This is further evidence that the government is in the pocket of the aviation industry. It shows the gaping void between its environmental rhetoric and reality. Ministers like to talk green, but their actions show they are only too willing to increase carbon emissions."
Permission was originally refused by Uttlesford district council in November 2006 on grounds of noise and environmental concerns. The government has overruled the council, after an appeal by the airports operator BAA and a lengthy public inquiry.
Stansted's managing director, Stewart Wingate, said the decision, taken by Hoon and the communities and local government secretary, Hazel Blears, was "great news" for passengers, and for businesses in the region.
Green groups reacted angrily, accusing the government of approving the expansion in defiance of its own commitment to reduce CO2 emissions and tackle climate change.
Graham Thompson, an activist with the stop Stansted expansion campaign group ‘Plane Stupid’ and one of those who occupied the roof of parliament to protest against airport expansion, said: "Whether it's Ruth Kelly or Geoff Hoon, it's quite clear that the minister for BAA is not working in the interests of Britain. Our democratic checks and balances are failing and escalating direct action is now inevitable."
The Liberal Democrats transport spokesman, Norman Baker, said: "This is further evidence that the government is in the pocket of the aviation industry. It shows the gaping void between its environmental rhetoric and reality. Ministers like to talk green, but their actions show they are only too willing to increase carbon emissions."
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