Community groups have welcomed Boris Johnson’s decision to block a proposal to triple the size of London City Airport.

The Mayor of London yesterday (March 26) rejected the £220million proposal, which was part-approved by Newham council earlier this month.

Johnson ordered the council to refuse the development on the grounds of noise disturbance and because the airport was intended for business rather than leisure.

Take-offs and landings were expected to increase from 70,000 a year to 111,000, with passenger numbers doubling to six million by 2023.

This coupled with the airport's plans to use new technology to create a much narrower and concentrated flight corridor over Wanstead, Leytonstone and Leyton had prompted fears that a "noise ghetto" would be created for people living under the flightpath.

 

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HACAN East's John Stewart at Wanstead Library in November.

 

Both the Wanstead Society and the Wanstead and Snaresbrook Residents' Association (WaSRA) praised the mayor's decision.

Geoff Horsnell, chair of Wanstead Society, said: “I am sure City Airport will appeal but it is a small victory for campaigners against noise caused by airports.

“Anything that puts the spoke in and delays plans is welcomed.

"The fact Boris stopped it on the grounds of noise is really significant because it sets a precedent that airport should be thinking about the impact it has on residents living nearby."

Helen Zammett, of WaSRA, said: “It is good news for London all round that Boris is concerned about the impact of airports and noise on residents.

“Too much noise is a crucial problem with more and more planes and this news is a step in the right direction.”

 

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Jeremy Probart, communications director at London City Airport.

 

London City Airport said it was “perplexed and disappointed” by the decision.

Chief executive Declan Collier said: “It is ironic that the Mayor of London, whose platform has always been one of advantage for business in London, is denying the capital the business opportunity presented by growth at London City Airport.”