Residents lose London City Airport flights increase challenge
21.01.11
A residents group from east London lost their High Court battle to block an increase in the number of flights proposed for London City Airport yesterday. In 2008 Newham Council gave the airport permission to increase its number of flights by 50% (from 80,000 to 120,000), and local residents formed an action group called Fight the Flights to try to overturn the decision at the High Court.
Residents argued 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 the neighbouring London boroughs of Redbridge and Waltham Forest, or the residents of those boroughs.
The residents were represented in court for the two-day hearing by campaign group Friends of the Earth. Lord Justice Pill and Mr Justice Roderick Evans, sitting in London, 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 against the ruling.
London City Airport chief Richard Gooding said: ‘This is great news for London City Airport and Newham. The decision enables 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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