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High Court Gives Fight the Flights Green Light to Judicial Review on London City Airport Expansion

7.1.2010 (Fight the Flights press release)

The High Court has granted permission for Fight the Flights to take their legal challenge against Newham Council to a full hearing in the High Court. The Judicial Review will look at the legality of Newham Council's decision to approve the expansion of London City Airports. The Court granted permission to proceed on all three limbs (1) of Fight the Flight’s case saying that all aspects of the case were properly arguable.

Anne-Marie Griffin, Chair of Fight the Flights said “This is another victory and a positive step towards justice for the residents of East London, many of whom were simply not consulted. Residents who have to put up with increased noise and air pollution as a result of Newham Council's decision to carry on expanding London City Airport will celebrate this news.”

Phil Michaels, solicitor for Fight the Flights at Friends of the Earth’s Rights & Justice Centre, said "We are delighted that the Court has agreed that this case needs to be heard. The issues raised are important for local people and for the environment more widely. We look forward to the case being heard later this year.”

Notes to the Editor:

1. There are three aspects to Fight the Flights claim. In summary they are (1) that Newham failed to have regard to the Government’s policy on climate change and aviation; (2) that Newham failed to consult relevant neighbouring local authorities; and (3) Newham failed to consult the residents of those boroughs. A copy of the legal grounds are available on request / available on our website at http://fighttheflights.com/ .

2. FTF launched its legal challenge in September 2009.

3. FTF founded in 2007, is a non party political residents group covering all areas affected by London City Airport operations.

4. FTF works with not only the community and NGO‘s, but lobbies decision makers.

5. Friends of the Earth are committed to environmental justice and communities and provide free campaign and legal advice to environmental campaign groups: http://www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/fair_future/resource/rights_justice_centre.html

http://fighttheflights.com/

http://londoncityairportfighttheflights.blogspot.com/

End.

Contacts:

FTF Spokesperson: 07984 300558

Phil Michaels – 020 7566 1725 / 07952 641 284 (Friends of the Earth)

Jenny Bates - 020-7566 1633, mobile 07884 003107 (Friends of the Earth)

Earlier news:

Legal challenge to London City Airport clears first legal hurdle

16th October 2009 The High Court has given Fight the Flights costs protection for their legal challenge to Newham’s decision allowing increased flights from London City Airport. Without costs protection, Fight the Flights would have been at risk of unlimited costs liability and could not have proceeded with the case. Costs protection is only normally given where the Court recognises the public importance of the case. Click here to view full story...

Newham Council sued on City flights rise

30th September 2009 Newham Council has been taken to court for allegedly failing to consult residents before allowing a 50% increase in flights from City Airport. Fight the Flights said it was suing because the council approved the expansion in October without consulting residents and other affected boroughs - and failed to consider the government's policy to reduce aviation emissions to below 2005 levels by 2050. They say councils should have a duty to cut emissions. (BBC) Click here to view full story...

Campaign group takes council to court over expansion of London City Airport

29th September 2009 Newham Council is being taken to court today by local residents over its decision to allow a 50% increase in flights at London City Airport without considering changes to Government policy on climate change or consulting local people. Fight The Flights says that before approving the airport's expansion in July this year, the council should have considered the Government's intention to reduce aviation emissions to below 2005 levels by 2050. (FoE) Click here to view full story...

(7th January 2010)

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