Editing London Stansted Airport (section)

==== Further developments ====
A major expansion programme to the terminal took place between 2007 and 2009, extending the width by 2 bays, with nearly {{convert|5900|m2|abbr=on}} of floorspace,  to give space for additional [[baggage carousel]]s, a new immigration and passport control hall.

In November 2006, [[Uttlesford]] District Council rejected a BAA planning application to increase the permitted number of aircraft movements and to remove the limit on passenger numbers. BAA immediately appealed against the decision and a public inquiry opened, lasting from May until October 2007. Planning Inspector Alan Boyland made his recommendations in January 2008. {{Citation needed|date=May 2017}} Those recommendations were largely followed by the Secretary of State for Transport ([[Geoff Hoon]]) and the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Hazel Blears), who jointly allowed the applicant's appeal in October 2008. A legal challenge by community campaign group Stop Stansted Expansion <!-- (SSE) --> was rejected by the High Court in March 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2009/mar/13/stop-stansted-loses-legal-battle|title=Stop Stansted Expansion group loses legal battle|last=Percival|first=Jenny|date=2009-03-13|website=The Guardian|language=en|access-date=2018-10-27|archive-date=8 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181208124721/https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2009/mar/13/stop-stansted-loses-legal-battle|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Competition Commission ruled in March 2009 that BAA should sell Gatwick and Stansted Airports within two years.<ref>{{cite news |title=BAA could challenge airport sale |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7951377.stm |work=BBC News |date=19 March 2009 |access-date=28 February 2013 |archive-date=21 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090321094442/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7951377.stm |url-status=live}}</ref> The ruling was quashed within a year following an appeal, but was subsequently upheld.<ref>{{cite news |title=BAA sell-off back on track after court ruling |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11531559 |work=BBC News |date=13 October 2010 |access-date=28 February 2013 |archive-date=1 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110901233547/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11531559 |url-status=live}}</ref> The Competition Commission reconfirmed its ruling in July 2011 that the airport be sold,<ref>{{cite news|title=BAA loses final Competition Commission sell-off ruling|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14196639|access-date=19 July 2011|work=BBC News|date=19 July 2011|archive-date=19 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719112712/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14196639|url-status=live}}</ref> and the [[Court of Appeal of England and Wales|Court of Appeal]] turned down an appeal by BAA on 26 July 2012.<ref>{{cite news |title=BAA loses latest appeal against Stansted sale |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19001159 |work=BBC News |date=26 July 2012 |access-date=28 February 2013 |archive-date=27 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127211226/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19001159 |url-status=live}}</ref> In light of the result, BAA chose not to appeal to the [[Supreme Court of the United Kingdom]] and confirmed on 20 August 2012 that the airport would be sold.<ref>{{cite news |title=Stansted Airport to be sold by BAA |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19318094 |work=BBC News |date=20 August 2012 |access-date=28 February 2013 |archive-date=5 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130305092009/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19318094 |url-status=live}}</ref>