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BBC News
07-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Campaigners challenge London Luton Airport expansion plans
Campaigners challenge Luton Airport expansion plan 17 minutes ago Share Save Andy Trigg BBC News, Bedfordshire Share Save Luton Rising The Planning Inspectorate recommended the government rejected the expansion of London Luton Airport over environmental concerns Campaigners against the proposed expansion of London Luton Airport have begun the first steps of legal action against the government. The Luton and District Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise (LADACAN) claimed the development consent order, approved last month, was granted unlawfully. It alleged that Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander ignored the recommendation by planning inspectors that the expansion gets rejected due to environmental concerns. A Department for Transport spokesperson said it was unable to comment due to "ongoing legal proceedings". Last month, Alexander said expansion would "deliver significant economic benefits" which was "a key reason for my decision". LADACAN said it had sent a pre-action protocol letter to the secretary of state informing her of its intention for a judicial review. A judicial review is a type of court case in which a judge reviews the lawfulness of a decision or action made by a public body. LADACAN said it had appointed a law firm and called on the government "to accept that the decision was unlawful". It claimed the potential impact on climate change and ways in which it would be mitigated had not been fully assessed. Andrew Lambourne, the organisation's chair, added: "Everyone can see the worsening effects of climate change, and it's obvious that the damage it causes comes with huge costs. "This in turn harms the UK economy, which suggests that the government should be dampening demand for carbon-intensive activities such as frequent flying, rather than encouraging it." Plans to expand London Luton Airport involve building a new terminal, new taxiways and almost doubling annual passenger numbers to 32 million by 2043. When the plans were approved, a spokesman for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the decision would help to "deliver growth". Luton Rising, the airport's owner which is owned by Luton Borough Council, said the expansion could bring "significant economic, employment and social benefits" to the town. In regards to legal action, a Luton Rising spokesperson said: "Luton Rising has received a copy of the pre-action protocol letter that was submitted to the secretary of state on behalf of LADACAN, and we are considering the grounds of challenge and determining our response and involvement in the legal case." Luton Rising The expansion plans include a new terminal building for the Bedfordshire-based airport Luton was the UK's fifth busiest airport last year, with 16.9 million people travelling on 132,000 flights. Luton Rising said expanding the site could create up to 11,000 jobs. LADACAN said it expected the secretary of state to respond to its letter in the coming days. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'Environment fears taken seriously'
Environmental concerns over London Luton Airport's approved expansion plans are being taken "very seriously", the airport's boss has said. On Thursday, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander approved the plans that would see a new terminal, new taxiways and an increase in annual passengers up to 32 million by 2043. However, environmental campaigners said "70,000 more aircraft a year" was the "last thing" the environment needed. Alberto Martin, chief executive of the airport, said the plans had a "legally binding framework" that put limits on noise and carbon emissions. "Already we do have the highest proportion of any airport in Europe of the most modern aircraft," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. "We're talking about the quietest aircraft up there in the skies, the most fuel efficient... sustainability remains at the centre of these plans and they come with the most far reaching and robust environmental commitments of any UK airport. "It comes with a very innovative scheme. It's called Green Control Growth, and it's actually a legally binding framework with limits... on noise, limits on carbon emissions, limits on air quality and surface access. "Those limits will need to be met in order for the airport to be allowed to grow." But countryside charity CPRE said the expansion made "a mockery" of the government's "commitment to reaching net zero by 2030". Local campaign group LADACAN said the "increasing cost of damage caused by climate change" outweighed any benefits. Mr Martin said the airport worked closely with the airlines to ensure they used the most modern and efficient aircraft. "It's important to know that aviation is twice as efficient as it was 30 years ago and technology continues evolving," he added. "Believe me when I tell you we are extremely conscious of those impacts." The plans were approved by the government despite the Planning Inspectorate recommending they be rejected over the environmental concerns. After the approval, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: "This decision will help us deliver growth as part of our plan for change." Luton was the UK's fifth busiest airport last year, with 16.9 million people travelling on 132,000 flights. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Luton airport expansion approved by government Jet2 opens new base and starts flights from Luton Airport expansion decision delayed for third time Plea to pause expansion plans for Luton Airport London Luton Airport Luton Rising CPRE LADACAN
