Heathrow expansion taken to court

Apr 16, 2009

Councils opposed to plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport are launching a legal bid against the government at the High Court.

The 2M group, which comprises of 23 councils, will on Tuesday seek a judicial review into the government's approval of the plan in January.

The group will say the government failed to hold a lawful consultation.

London Mayor Boris Johnson and green groups, including Greenpeace, are backing the legal challenge.

In January Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon approved the expansion plans for the west London airport, which will initially see at least 125,000 additional flights a year using the new third runway.

But he said the government would impose tight conditions on further expansion to limit its environmental impact and that airlines using the new runway would be required to use the newest, least-polluting aircraft.

'Unprecedented support'

The 2M group said it would also claim in court that the government had not proven the economic case or other reasons which led to the decision on expansion.

The Campaign to Protect Rural England and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds have also pledged their support to the appeal.

Speaking on behalf of 2M, Hillingdon Council leader Ray Puddifoot said the legal bid had received "unprecedented" support.

"It shows that just about everyone other than Geoff Hoon thinks the government has got this wrong.

"For the local authorities the real concern is that the government has not proved that a third runway can be operated without breaching air pollution limits, making noise worse or creating intolerable congestion on local roads and public transport."

The development in west London would result in the demolition of 750 homes, the disappearance of the village of Sipson, and increase noise pollution and emissions of nitrogen dioxide.

It would also mean the government would not be able to meet its legal commitment to cut carbon emissions by 80% by 2050, activists said.

Business leaders support the decision to build a third runway.

They say without it the UK economy will lose business to the rest of Europe as rival airports such as Paris and Amsterdam already have at least four runways.

Airport owner BAA also says the expansion is vital for Heathrow to stay competitive.

Source: BBC