Airport bosses said the debate over a second runway at Stansted should now be "put to bed" despite the High Court judgment finding Government policy on the siting of the runway to be too prescriptive.
Both sides in the campaign claimed victory on Friday as a judge ruled the extra runway was needed - but more consultation with the public had to be carried out on its exact location.
At a press conference, Terry Morgan, airport managing director, said it was business as usual on the Stansted Generation Two project, and that the ruling will not mean the project had to go back to the drawing board.
He said: "It's very good news. We very much welcome the clarity the judgment has brought to the project of building a second runway at Stansted."
Alastair McDermid, project director of the second runway scheme, said BAA had been considering different options for the placing of the new runway all along, and would need to weigh up the benefits and effects of the various possibilities.
He said the ruling would not affect the schedule of the project.
Mr McDermid explained BAA was still confident it would enter its planning application for a new runway in spring 2006, although it is expecting the application to go to a full planning inquiry.
Essex County Council, which was among several bodies who brought the legal challenge, has been awarded substantial legal costs.
More in today's Evening Gazette
Published Monday, February 21, 2005
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