London Luton Airport is poised for a significant transformation following the government’s approval of a £2.4 billion expansion plan. The project, which includes constructing a new terminal, aims to double the airport’s annual passenger capacity over the next 18 years. However, the proposal has ignited a storm of controversy, prompting campaigners to initiate legal proceedings against the government.
The Luton and District Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise (LADACAN) has accused the government of unlawfully granting the development consent order. The association alleges that Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander disregarded planning inspectors’ recommendations to reject the expansion due to environmental concerns. LADACAN has reportedly sent a pre-action protocol letter to the Transport Secretary, signalling its intent to pursue a judicial review – a legal process where a judge examines the lawfulness of a decision made by a public body.
LADACAN has enlisted a law firm to support its case and is urging the government to acknowledge the decision as unlawful. The association anticipates a response from the Transport Secretary soon. Meanwhile, a Department for Transport spokesperson declined to comment, citing “ongoing legal proceedings.”
A primary concern for LADACAN is the alleged failure to thoroughly evaluate the expansion’s potential impact on climate change and the measures to mitigate such effects. Andrew Lambourne, chair of LADACAN, emphasised the economic risks associated with ignoring climate change. “Everyone can see the worsening effects of climate change, and it’s obvious that the damage it causes comes with huge costs,” Lambourne stated. “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.”
