PLANS that would turn Stansted into the busiest single-runway airport in the world have been submitted to Uttlesford District Council.

Airport operator BAA has drawn up plans to lift current restrictions on the number of flights per year on the existing runway.

The airport expects to reach the imits, currently standing at 241,000 flights and 25 million passengers per year, by 2008. If plans are approved the number of flights will increase to 264,000 a year with passenger numbers rising to 35 million.

Stansted's business development and planning director Nick Barton said it was a "priority" to continue to make the best use of the runway.

He said: "This application represents the next important stage of Stansted's development, recognising how expansion can achieve the appropriate environmental, social and economic balance of interests that maintain Stansted's position as a responsible, international business in the local community."

Mr Burton said the £550m existing runway project, Generation One, has taken into account two years of wide-ranging studies and consultation, including an environmental impact study that is "entirely consistent with Government policy".

He said: "The big issues for local residents is air noise and surface access. I'm pleased to say our studies show air noise limits imposed on the airport in 2003 will not be exceeded and we've identified a number of measures to increase the use of public transport in the years ahead - there will be no discernable difference on the road network during the peak hours."

BAA Stansted managing director Terry Morgan hailed Stansted as a "gem" for the east of England region, adding: "It's undeniable that what we have here is a fantastic success story.

"In ten years we've gone from a small operation to one of the biggest airports in the country and probably the most successful low airline operator in Europe.

"We want to continue to grow but realise we've got to do it in a way that is stable for the environment - and I'm very confident we can deliiver repsonsibly."

He stressed the application is seperate to the proposals for a second runway, for which a planning application is expected to be made in 2007.