Southampton Airport runway extension decision set for judicial review
The residents group, GOESA Ltd, that has been challenging plans to extend the runway at Southampton Airport, have won the right to take the matter to judicial review (JR). The judicial review will take place in the New Year, submitting evidence to the High Court, but the date is not yet known. GOESA Ltd is crowdfunding to raise the money for the legal costs. The plans to extend the runway by 164m (538ft) were approved by Eastleigh Borough Council in April. Initially campaigners against the plans had their request for a JR refused by the High Court, but that has now been overturned. Rowan Smith, the group’s solicitor, said: “They will now have another opportunity to convince the court that permission for an expanded Southampton Airport was unlawfully granted and should be reversed.” The airport claims all sorts of economic benefits from the runway extension. The leader of Eastleigh Borough Council hopes the legal processes can happen quickly, so the airport can proceed quickly with its plans, which he claims are good for the regional economy….
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Legal action on airport extension decision – update
GOESA Ltd, the residents group who have been challenging plans to extend the runway at Southampton Airport, have won the right to take the matter to judicial review! The judicial review will take place in the New Year. Thank you again to all our supporters – we could not have got this far without every one of you. We know we have widespread support in the community.
The focus now turns to renewing efforts to raise funds. GOESA Ltd has received more than £65,000 from the public, including nearly £25,000 from 550 individuals via AXO’s crowdfunder. We hope the news will encourage more supporters to come forward, enabling GOESA to achieve their £100,000 target. If you haven’t contributed to the crowdfunder, or if you want to give more, here is the crowdfunder. Larger donations may be made direct to GOESA Ltd – ask us for details.
Marhill trees under threat again
Southampton Airport has appealed Southampton City Council’s Planning Committee’s refusal of permission to fell the tall pine and broadleaf trees in Marlhill Copse’s southern edge. We have put together a guide to what you can do to oppose the appeal.
https://axosouthampton.wordpress.com/
Southampton Airport runway decision set for judicial review
10.12.2021 (BBC)
Southampton Airport won permission to extend its runway in April.
Campaigners against a longer runway at Southampton Airport have won the right to a judicial review after a High Court decision to block one was overturned.
The plans to extend the runway by 164m (538ft) were approved by Eastleigh Borough Council in April.
But opponents have claimed permission was “unlawfully granted” – and described the latest court ruling as “a clear vindication” of their work.
Southampton Airport bosses said the decision was “a disappointment”.
Opponents are expected to take their legal arguments to the High Court in the new year.
They have accused the council of formally approving the plans before the government had chosen whether to “call in” the decision, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
Campaigners have said an extended runway will damage the environment
The council has always defended its action and said the government had been kept informed.
But members of Group Opposed to the Expansion of Southampton Airport called for the decision to undergo “independent scrutiny” via a judicial review.
This was initially rejected by the High Court – but the group said it was “delighted” the decision had now been overturned.
Rowan Smith, the group’s solicitor, said: “They will now have another opportunity to convince the court that permission for an expanded Southampton Airport was unlawfully granted and should be reversed.”
Southampton Airport confirmed that the latest court ruling would result in a judicial review, and said this process would delay “much-needed economic benefits”.
Councillor Keith House, leader of Eastleigh Borough Council, said: “The legal bar to progress judicial reviews is very low so it was not that surprising that the court has allowed a full hearing to take place next year.
“The concern must remain that this hearing may not take place until next summer which continues to leave our airport, vital for the regional economy, at risk.”
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-59607091
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Southampton Airport makes fresh bid to fell Marlhill trees
13.12..2021
By Chris Yandell (Southern Daily Echo)
New Forest Chief Reporter
SOUTHAMPTON Airport has lodged an appeal after being refused consent to fell more than 100 trees just outside its perimeter.
AXO, the environmental group fighting plans to extend the airport’s 5,653ft runway, has warned that the 16-acre Marlhill Copse is once again under threat.
The wooded area off Mansbridge Road, Southampton, is directly below the flightpath.
The airport’s website says it bought the copse in 2018 so it could carry out tree management work “to protect aircraft operating in the area”.
Proposals to chop down almost 120 trees were rejected by the city council earlier this year.
Some of the residents attending a meeting of the planning and rights of way panel spoke in favour of the proposed felling but others raised concerns.
Objector Angela Cotton said: “Once taller trees are removed we have the possibility of heavier aircraft flying lower over the houses, increasing noise and vibration.”
But Mike Weeks, representing the airport, said the proposals stemmed from good forestry.
Today an AXO spokesperson said: “More than eight months after the council rejected the application to fell trees on the southern edge of Marlhill Copse they are once again under threat of being cut down.
“Southampton International Airport Limited (SIAL) has lodged an appeal.
“This is the latest in numerous attempts to fell the trees, which include the iconic Monterey and Corsican pines that have provided an enduring skyline for over half a century.
“Flights from the airport have been taking-off over Marlhill Copse without incident since the first felling application in 1983.”
Izzy Sargent, a regular visitor to the area, said the area affected by the proposals included an established badger sett.
A document outlining the appeal says: “The immediate impact of the loss of the pine trees will be temporary (8-10 years) and newly replanted trees will form a young woodland.
“The level of felling proposed is sympathetic and low-key.”
https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/19779430.southampton-airport-makes-fresh-bid-fell-marlhill-trees/
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See earlier:
Campaigners remain confident after Southampton Airport legal challenge refused
Campaigners against Southampton Airport’s runway extension say they remain confident after a legal challenge was refused. GOESA Ltd, a company set up by those opposed to Southampton Airport’s runway extension, submitted an application to the High Court for a judicial review in July this year. This came after Eastleigh Borough Council (EBC) granted planning permission for the airport extension which proved controversial during the consultation process. An online fundraising page was set up to fund the review which raised over £60,000, but now, EBC has said that the High Court has refused the review of planning permission. Despite this though, GOESA Ltd has said that this is “not the end” and say that there are still chances to appeal this. They have to decide within the next seven days, whether they apply to have the matter renewed in open court. They are taking legal advice and that will be decided in the next few days. There is another stage in the appeal process. A second application for a judicial review was also made by Bournemouth Airport Ltd, but this has also been refused.
Legal challenge puts Southampton Airport expansion on ice
August 11th 2021
Southampton Airport’s runway expansion plans have been put on ice after a legal challenge to the proposals has been given a hearing at the High Court. Campaign group GEOSA Ltd has been granted a judicial review into the decision by Eastleigh Borough Council to approve the runway extension in April. The Southampton Airport plans would see a 164m runway extension built as well as a new 600-space car park and the erection of a blast screen to the north of the new extension. The council approved the plans by 22 votes to 13. Campaigners have long called for the runway extension decision to be independently reviewed, and claim that increased aircraft noise would impact people living outside the Eastleigh village. Opponents of Southampton Airport expansion have instructed a legal team led by Leigh Day and David Wolfe QC to pursue the case and have crowdfunded £20,000 and have received £35,000 in direct donations to help pay for the judicial review.
Southampton legal challenge against airport decision by Eastleigh Borough Council
The local campaign against the expansion of Southampton airport, AXO, has now decided to make a legal challenge against Eastleigh Borough Council, and their decision to allow extension of the runway. That extension would have the effect of increasing the number of flights using the airport, and allow flights to more distant destinations – increasing the overall carbon emissions. Decisions such as these, resulting in more climate heating, need full scrutiny and that can now only happen by Judicial Review. The opponents of Southampton Airport expansion have instructed a legal team led by Leigh Day and David Wolfe QC to pursue the case, and are launching a public appeal for money to help finance the action. AXO believe strongly that the council’s decision was wrong both in the way it was taken and the arguments to justify it. The airport has greatly overstated the economic benefits of expansion, which will adversely affect the quality of lives of around 46,000 residents, whilst hugely underplaying the environmental impact. Hence they are calling for the decision to undergo independent scrutiny. There is a crowdfunder, to raise £10,000, to help pay the legal costs.
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