UK Approves Luton Airport Expansion Against Inspectorate Advice

The UK government approved a plan to expand London’s Luton Airport, going against a recommendation from the Planning Inspectorate to refuse the application.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander decided the project should go forward based on its benefits to Luton, a town north of London, and the wider UK economy, according to a letter from her department to the airport published on Thursday. That shows the Labour administration won’t be blocked in its pursuit of new infrastructure projects and the economic growth they will generate, according to an official who spoke on condition of anonymity discussing internal government thinking.