HOLIDAYMAKERS have scored a huge win as ministers waved through Luton Airport’s expansion – brushing aside green grumbles from planning bosses.
The London hub got the thumbs-up to build a new terminal, nearly doubling passengers from 18 million to a bumper 32 million a year by 2040.
Transport Secretary Louise Haigh defied warnings from planning inspectors about harming the peaceful Chiltern countryside and chopping down a historic veteran tree.
A Government source said: “The Transport Secretary has approved the expansion of Luton Airport for its benefits to Luton and the wider UK economy.
“The decision goes against the Planning Inspectorate's recommendation for refusal. Expansion will deliver huge growth benefits for Luton with thousands of good, new jobs and a cash boost for the local council which owns the airport.
“This is the 14th Development Consent Order approved by this Labour government, demonstrating we will stop at nothing to deliver economic growth and new infrastructure as part of our Plan for Change.”
