Residents lose flights increase challenge
21.01.11
A campaign group from east London lost their High Court challenge to an increase in the number of flights allowed at London City Airport yesterday. In 2008 Newham Council gave the airport permission to increase its number of flights from 80,000 to 120,000, and local residents formed an action group called Fight the Flights to attempt to overturn the decision at the High Court.
Residents argued any extra flights would increase noise and pollution. They accused Newham Council of ‘erring in law’ by failing to take into account a ‘fundamental change’ in Government policy on aviation and climate change. They also said the council had failed to properly consult neighbouring London boroughs of Redbridge and Waltham Forest, or residents in those boroughs.
The group was represented in court for the two-day hearing by lawyers from Friends of the Earth. However, Lord Justice Pill and Mr Justice Roderick Evans rejected both accusations and dismissed the legal challenge. Anne-Marie Griffin, chairwoman of Fight the Flights, was given 14 days to apply for permission to appeal the ruling.
London City Airport chief Richard Gooding said: ‘This is great news for London City Airport and for Newham. The decision allows us to continue supporting the much needed regeneration and investment that London City Airport has helped bring to East London over the past 23 years.’
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