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Plans to expand the capacity of Stansted airport in the UK are to be scrutinised during a public inquiry.

The airport's owners BAA want to increase capacity from its current 25m passengers per year to 35m.

However, a large number of residents in the Essex region are protesting against the proposals which have already been rejected by Uttlesford District Council.

The final decision will ultimately lie with the inquiry panel but the Stop Stansted Expansion campaign group told the BBC that there are few benefits of the hub growing.

'If Stansted were permitted to expand to maximum use of the existing runway, the local environment would suffer, the national economy would suffer and we would have taken a giant step backwards in the battle to combat climate change,' said a spokesman for the group.

However, BAA maintains that an expansion at the current site would be a good thing and is urging the inquiry to find in its favour.

'The fact remains that more people want to fly to more destinations, more often than ever before and we are very confident of the case we will be presenting that says we can achieve growth in a sustainable way,' the firm said in a statement.

'There are huge social and economic benefits to be gained from growth at Stansted and this is an exciting opportunity that should not be lost.'

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