In July 2002 Proposals to build new airport runways in an attempt to cope with rising UK demand for air travel were unveiled by the government.

They included the possibility of three extra runways at Stansted, one more at Heathrow airport near London - moves strongly opposed by local residents and environmental groups.

It was proposed that Glasgow or Edinburgh could also get another runway if the proposals were adopted, with expansions at airports like Bristol and Birmingham also on the cards.

The context for the proposed expansion was that UK air passenger numbers are expected to more than double from 180m a year to 400m by 2020, according to Transport Secretary Alistair Darling.

Transport Secretary Alistair Darling told MPs that one option in the south east was expansion at Heathrow - possibly an additional shorter runway.

Another proposed option was to expand Stansted either into a new hub airport or to complement services at Heathrow.

Expansion at Luton was to be looked into and a possible freight airport at Alconbury, near Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire, was on the cards.

A new airport could also be built near the River Thames at Cliffe in north Kent.

A new runway at Gatwick was another idea that was on the table but any changes there are likely to be delayed until 2019 when a non-expansion agreement runs out.

Mr Darling said that the government would not challenge that agreement.

The government's consultation document also proposed converting defunct RAF bases into civilian airports.

This site outlines the successful opposition to airport expansion at Cliffe in Kent on the grounds of

Damage to Cultural heritage

Damage to the Environment