Luton Airport expansion challenged at High Court

The expansion of London Luton Airport is to be decided by a legal challenge at the High Court.

The challenge was brought by campaign group Luton and District Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise (LADACAN), which argued that development consent for the expansion was unlawfully granted.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander approved the expansion even though planning inspectors concluded that the proposed benefits did not outweigh environmental harm.

The proposals include a new terminal and are part of the airport's plans to double annual passenger numbers to 32 million by 2043.

The challenge will be heard at the High Court on Tuesday and Wednesday, although judgement is expected to be reserved until a later date.

Andrew Lambourne, chair of LADACAN, argued the government had not demonstrated "how its expansion plans accord with legally binding net zero commitments".

He continued: "Yet it has failed to show that the claimed benefits of airport expansion outweigh the negative climate impacts and the balance of trade deficit in tourism."

A spokesperson for Luton Rising said: "Luton Rising is an interested party in the proceedings and therefore it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time."

A spokesman for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer previously said the plans would help "deliver growth as part of our plan for change".