Campaigners challenge Luton Airport expansion plan

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 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.

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