Runway Extension

In August 2000, East Midlands Airport (EMA) submitted a planning application to extend the runway by 190m (from the current length of 2893m to a total length of 3083m).

The planning application was accompanied by an Environmental Statement (ES), which presented the findings of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the proposed development.

This planning application remains undetermined and East Midlands Airport, with the agreement of North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC), now wishes to pursue the application through to determination.

We recognise that since the submission of the ES in August 2000 growth in air traffic has been significantly greater than was forecast. Therefore in 2004 the air traffic forecast that underpins the ES was updated to take account of the changes that had taken place since the application was submitted and more generally to take account of Government's Regional Air Studies which sought to explore the likely growth in aviation to 2030.

In consultation with NWLDC, this 2004 update has itself been recently reviewed and updated, to ensure that the council has available to it the very latest information in order that the application may now be determined. It has been agreed that the significant areas of the ES that may have changed due to the updated air traffic forecast are the assessments of noise, air quality and road traffic effects. The implications of the updated air traffic forecast in these areas have been explored and are summarised in the latest report. A description of the proposed works and the benefit to EMA is also included.