The High Court has upheld Newham Council’s decision to allow London City airport to increase annual flight movements from 80,000 to 120,000, following an appeal by residents campaign group Fight the Flights.
Planning approval for the expansion in the number of flights at LCY was granted by the London Borough of Newham in July 2009, leading to the Fight the Flights group going to the High Court seeking to overturn the decision. The residents group argued that the expansion would lead to increased noise and pollution in the area.
But the High Court has upheld the planning approval, a decision which has been described by airport as “great news for London City airport and Newham”. In a statement Richard Gooding, chief executive of London City airport said that the decision would “allow us, and our partner airlines, to continue our key role in supporting the local, regional and national economies and providing new local employment and training opportunities”.
He added that the High Court ruling would “enables us to continue supporting the much needed regeneration and investment which London City Airport has helped bring to East London over the past 23 years”.
However Fight the Flights said it was “desperately disappointed” by the judgement, and said it was “taking legal advice as to whether to appeal”.
Chair of the residents group Anne-Marie Griffin said:
“London City Airport already causes major disturbance and pollution for people living locally – the disappointment we feel at this outcome will be shared by thousands of residents across East London who are severely affected by London City Airport’s operations but were not consulted about expansion.
“Without clear guidelines to local councils on aviation expansion, the emissions targets set have no hope of being met.”
For more information visit londoncityairport.com, fighttheflights.com.
Report by Mark Caswell
