Environmental campaigners, London boroughs and mayor Sadiq Khan – all opposed to the expansion of London’s Heathrow Airport – have taken their fight to block the project to London’s Court of Appeal.
In May this year, High Court judges dismissed a total of five claims brought by the objectors, who say a third runway will have widespread environmental consequences.
Now, the London boroughs of Hillingdon, Wandsworth, Richmond upon Thames, Windsor and Maidenhead, Hammersmith and Fulham; environmental campaigners Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth and Plan B Earth; and the London mayor are asking the Court of Appeal to rule that the government’s decision to back the project was unlawful.
At the beginning of the hearing, which is scheduled to last more than a week, Lord Justice Lindblom said the issues raised were of “obvious importance”.
The opponents to the runway challenge the government’s decision to give the green light to the project on the grounds of climate change, air quality, surface access, noise and habitats.
Their lawyers argue that, when considering the third runway proposals, former transport secretary Chris Grayling failed to take enough account of environmental legislation and the need to combat climate change.
Opening the case on behalf of Friends of the Earth, David Wolfe QC told Lords Justices Lindblom, Singh and Haddon-Cave: “No one can be unaware of the urgent need to tackle climate change.”
He said that aviation accounts for 25% of the UK’s carbon emissions, which means that particular vigilance is needed in respect of plans that increase capacity.
Nigel Pleming QC, representing the mayor, the authorities and Greenpeace, added: “The scheme will have widespread environmental consequences in terms of noise, harm to protected sites, air quality and climate change, with consequential health effects for a huge number of people.”
