Luton Airport has set out an growth plan which may see its annual passenger numbers nearly double.

The airport is in search of consent for brand spanking new terminal capability, earthworks to create an extension to the present airfield platform, new airside and landside services and enhancements to the floor entry community.

The plan additionally moots an extension of the Luton DART – the sunshine rail-link connecting the airport with Luton Airport Parkway station – alongside landscaping, ecological work and additional infrastructure initiatives to assist the objective of zero-emission floor operations by 2040.

If the plan will get the go-ahead from the Secretary of State for Transport, the present cap of 18 million passengers per yr will rise to 32 million. The plans are estimated to price £2.4bn.

The appliance for a improvement consent order was initially scheduled for submission final yr, however was pushed again in November, with development not as a consequence of begin till 2025 on the earliest.

Luton Rising, the council-owned firm that owns the airport for neighborhood profit, mentioned the appliance would safe the “sustainable long-term development” of the power.

The plan, which follows 4 years of assessments, session and stakeholder engagement, contains neighborhood funding proposals that might present a further £14m yearly for communities throughout Luton and neighbouring areas.

A inexperienced controlled-growth technique included within the submission units binding and independently monitored environmental limits in areas resembling carbon, air high quality, noise and floor entry.

The inspectorate now has 28 days to find out whether or not the appliance meets the requirements required to be accepted for examination or whether or not additional documentation is required.

Graham Olver, chief govt officer of Luton Rising, mentioned the corporate had achieved every thing it may to ship an “achievable, detailed and evidence-based utility” which might meet the inspectorate’s necessities.

“We purpose to boost financial exercise in and round Luton, present quite a few neighborhood advantages and make the airport a frontrunner in sustainable aviation,” he mentioned.

“We hope that this may mark the beginning of the following section of our dedication to develop London Luton Airport and assist to ship the employment, prosperity and optimistic social impression for Luton and neighbouring communities that they so richly deserve.”

The inspectorate may have six months to finish its examination and an extra three months to make its advice to the Secretary of State, who can then grant or refuse improvement consent.

Elsewhere, Heathrow is anticipated to announce plans for a 3rd runway later this yr whereas Mace lately landed a key function within the £440m growth of Manchester Airport.