CAMPAIGNERS have urged Uttlesford District Council to stand firm against a planning application that could turn Stansted Airport into the biggest single-runway airport in the world.

Airport operation BAA has submitted plans to have restrictions on flight and passenger numbers lifted.

If agreed the number of flights could be increased from 241,000 to 263,000 per year - or 63 a day - while passenger numbers would soar from 25m to 35m.

But campaign group Stop Stansted Expansion has voiced concerns over the environmental impacts of airport development.

Campaign director Carol Barbone warned the council not to be "hoodwinked", adding: "The application will not be about bricks and mortar, but about the direct and indirect effects of an airport handling more passengers.

"In determining the application Uttlesford Council must account of its statutory duties to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development so that the people of this area are not sold short."

Mrs Barbone highlighted the importance of seeing beyond the gloss and pointed out that pressures on road and rail infrastructure, local air quality, water usage, landscape and climate change would be "enormous".

"BAA itself has acknowledged that the runway could handle 40m passengers a year whilst others have estimated 45m or even 50m passengers could be handled on the existing runway.

"The onus is on them to demonstrate how its proposals for further expansion on the existing runway could truly be sustainable in terms of the effects on local people and the environment."