Campaigners trying to block the expansion of Heathrow Airport have won a legal challenge challenge against controversial plans for a third runway.
From 9am on Thursday (February 27), they gathered outside of the Royal Courts of Justice before the Court of Appeal ruling.
The plans had been challenged by a series of local councils, including Richmond and Wandsworth.
Photo credited to Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire
Campaigners had argued that the government’s decision to adopt its Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS) was unlawful on several key grounds including climate change, noise and air quality.
Lord Justice Lindblom, Singh and Haddon-Cave told a packed court: "The Paris Agreement ought to have been taken into account by the Secretary of State in the preparation of the NPS and an explanation given as to how it was taken into account, but it was not."
The UN's Paris Agreement, which came into force in November 2016, commits signatories to tackling climate change by taking measures to limit global warming to well below 2C.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson opposed the expansion of the west London airport when he was London's mayor and promised to "lie down ... in front of those bulldozers" to stop the runway being built.
Photo credited to Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire
Cllr Gareth Roberts - Leader of Richmond Council said: "Rather than the Government attempting to battle on, I hope that they will now take a minute and realise that the only way forward is for them to focus their efforts into developing a sustainable transport policy that puts the health of residents and the environment front and centre of a proposal."
Wandsworth council leader, Ravi Govindia, added: “I'm absolutely delighted by today’s judgement which comes at a time when this council has declared a Climate Change Emergency and is working hard to deliver the vision to become the greenest inner London borough and carbon neutral by 2030.
“The Government must now go back and revisit its airports policy and we all hope that this is the last time we hear of a third runway at Heathrow.”
Heathrow Airport said it will appeal the decision to the Supreme Court.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel