The backers of an alternative scheme to expand Heathrow plan to appeal against the rejection of a review into the government’s backing of a third runway at the airport.
Heathrow Hub, which proposes an extension to the existing northern runway, yesterday started the process to appeal the High Court judgement which refused a judicial review of the government’s decision to proceed with the third runway despite opposition from activists and local councils.
Director Jock Lowe, confirming that the independent consortium will seek permission to appeal, said: “We don’t agree with the judgement handed down on May 1, which we are advised is legally flawed, at odds with the evidence the court itself heard and gives us strong grounds to appeal.”
He added: “We continue to believe that the Department for Transport bungled the decision-making process for Heathrow expansion and that our extended runway proposal is cheaper, quieter and simpler to build than the ridiculously complicated and expensive north west runway.
“Despite the ongoing legal proceedings, an extended runway could still be operational much sooner than Heathrow Airport’s north west runway scheme, which remains uncosted, and is barely recognisable as the proposal considered by the Airports Commission or indeed approved by Parliament.”