People likely to lose their homes when a second runway is built at Stansted have been offered a compensation package by the airport operator. But opponents of expansion immediately dismissed the deal from BAA as "low-level bribery" and "a pathetic sop".
Dozens of houses are to go to make way for a new runway at the Essex airport by 2011 or 2012 under plans backed by the government earlier this week.
On Thursday BAA, which runs Stansted, offered affected property-owners a home value guarantee scheme.
 |  This pathetic sop to those who would be worst affected by a second runway at Stansted only hardens our resolve to fight this every step of the way  |
It also has another scheme to help people affected by the prospect of extra noise at Stansted. The packages were outlined at a meeting near the airport picketed by the Stop Stansted Expansion (SSE) group which immediately rejected the initiative.
Stansted managing director Terry Morgan said that BAA would respond promptly to any home-owner within the boundary of the enlarged airport who wished to sell.
"Through the Home Value Guarantee Scheme, home-owners will be able to sell to BAA at the time that suits them for the full market value of the property, based on June 2002 values - index-linked to regional property prices," he said.
Property values
BAA would also cover removal costs and home-owners who sell will be entitled to an ex-gratia payment of 10% of their home's value if planning permission is given for the expansion.
BAA added that the exact boundaries of the enlarged airport would be made public on or before 27 January, and the home value scheme would become operational in spring next year.
Mr Morgan said: "There will clearly be some local residents whose homes fall on or very near the boundary, when it is specified.
"We will deal with these cases as sensitively as possible."
The company is also planning a Home Owners Support Scheme for those close to the new runway who want to move, but whose property values have been severely affected by the prospect of noise.
Noise scheme
BAA is also committed to a noise insulation scheme for people severely affected when the new runway opens.
Mr Morgan said the schemes offered people significantly better terms than those usually available.
But SSE campaign director Carol Barbone said: "This is the worst kind of low-level bribery intending to pave the way for the concrete.
"This pathetic sop to those who would be worst affected by a second runway at Stansted only hardens our resolve to fight this every step of the way."
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