Application process
The scale of Luton Airport's proposals means it will need to make an application to the government for a Development Consent Order (DCO) to authorise the expansion. The formal submission of the proposals to the Planning Inspectorate for the DCO process is expected to take place in late summer 2022, with a final decision expected in 2024.
As part of that process, Luton Airport has a legal duty to identify and contact anyone with land that may be affected by its expansion proposals. This includes people beyond the airport site in areas that may be affected by the construction or operation of the expanded airport.
Luton Airport has written to residents and organisations who might be affected, who will then be statutory consultees on the proposed application and notified when the application is submitted.
The final decision on Luton Airport will be made by the Secretary of State for Transport, not any of the four councils directly affected by the proposals.
Details of the application process and Luton Airport’s scoping report can be found on the government Planning Inspectorate’s website.