High Court Hears Judicial Review of Luton Airport Expansion Plans

The expansion of London Luton Airport, aiming to increase passenger capacity from 19 million to 32 million annually, has been approved by Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander despite planning inspectors' concerns that the environmental harms outweigh the benefits. The decision is being legally challenged by the Luton and District Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise (LADACAN), which argues that the Secretary of State unlawfully granted development consent by failing to fully assess greenhouse gas emissions, particularly from inbound flights, and the environmental impact including non-CO2 emissions. LADACAN also contends that the government's decision conflicts with duties under the Climate Change Act 2008 and the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, and that the approval relied unlawfully on the Jet Zero Strategy. The High Court is hearing the judicial review, with LADACAN supported by legal experts who highlight errors in environmental impact assessments and procedural faults in the approval process. Critics, including local MPs and campaigners, emphasize the potential for significant climate damage and adverse effects on local communities, while the government maintains the expansion supports economic growth. The legal proceedings continue, with judgment pending on whether the expansion complies with environmental legislation and policy.