London Stansted's £600 million expansion plans have been approved by Uttlesford District Council.

The airport's planning application aims to increase the number of passengers by an extra eight million a year, bringing the total to 43m.

CEO of London Stansted, Ken O'Toole welcomed the approval.

He said: "We are delighted that Uttlesford District Council has today approved our planning application to enable the airport to grow over the next decade. This will boost our region's economic growth and deliver 5,000 additional jobs at London Stansted Airport.

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"Today's decision offers London Stansted and its airline partners the long-term clarity we need to make further investment decisions at the airport but also importantly provides the local community with the assurance that our future growth will be delivered in a measured and sustainable way.

Mr O'Toole added: "The combination of the strong economic health of our catchment, our available runway capacity, the £600 million investment we are making in our facilities and the continuing desire of local residents to travel by air by London Stansted, will collectively ensure that the airport has a bright future."

(CM/MH)