London City Airport chiefs are “perplexed” and “disappointed” by the Mayor of London’s decision to refuse plans to expand runways on noise grounds.

In a letter sent to Newham Council, seen by the Recorder, the mayor instructs the local authority’s development control office to refuse planning permission to build additional aircraft infrastructure and passenger facilities.

London City Airport wanted permission to build new taxiways to permit larger planes to use the airport as well as more car parking spaces for visitors.

The mayor refused permission on the grounds that “it does not adequately mitigate and manage its adverse noise impacts”.

Declan Collier, Chief Executive Officer, London City Airport, believes “the decision goes against everything that the Mayor supports and promotes”.

He said: “It is ironic that the Mayor of London, whose platform has always been one of advantage for business in London, is denying the capital the business opportunity presented by growth at London City Airport.

“It is doubly ironic that this decision was taken on LCY’s busiest-ever day , when more than 16,500 passengers passed through the terminal. Demand for the connectivity the airport provides is growing, driven by the success of London as a global business centre, and to service this demand, the airport needs to grow.”

Mayor of Newham, Sir Robin Wales, added that the decision would get in the way of job opportunities for local people.

He said: “Through a rigorous planning process, Newham Council had secured job opportunities for local people, money for vital local services and reduced environmental impacts on residents from the airport.

“The opportunity to create a world-class gateway to the economic and tech centres that are London’s Royal Docks, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and Stratford is now under threat.”

However, John Stewart, chair of HACAN East, which campaigned against the expansion plans, said the airport was “paying the price” for being “so cavalier about noise”.

He said: “Quite simply, Boris did not believe its claims that it was dealing adequately with noise. We salute his decision.”

In the same letter, the mayor granted permission for a 260-bed hotel to be built on the North Woolwich site.