Plans to double the size of the UK's third busiest airport have been described by campaigners as "tantamount to a declaration of war".

BAA wants to build a second terminal and runway at Stansted Airport in Essex.

If approved, the £2.5 billion development would open in 2015 and serve 68 million passengers a year by around 2030.

Unveiling its planning application, BAA said the project would create more than 13,000 jobs by 2030 and boost the UK economy by £9 billion a year.

But the proposals have met fierce opposition from environmental groups and local residents.

Carol Barbone, of the Stop Stansted Expansion (SSE) campaign group, said: "BAA's planning application for a second runway goes beyond environmental vandalism and is tantamount to a declaration of war on the local community and global environment.

"We pledge to use every means at its disposal to defeat these plans."

Sir Nigel Rudd, BAA chairman, said: "BAA is proud to reach the significant milestone in the future development of Stansted. We remain fully committed to building a second runway, a project that is central to government policy in delivering additional runway capacity in the South East.

"This important project will bring huge benefits to the East of England and UK economy and will increase choice and opportunity for millions of business and leisure travellers."

The new runway and terminal would be built on 442 hectares of land and result in 13 listed buildings being lost, although 10 would be dismantled and rebuilt, BAA said.

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