From Bristol247
Campaigners fighting the expansion of Bristol Airport say they are disappointed and surprised by a judge’s decision to refuse a judicial review into the plans.
Yesterday, a High Court judge told the Stop Bristol Airport Expansion (SBAE) campaign, which fears a huge increase in flights and a doubling of carbon emissions, that they did not have a legally arguable case.
The group said that North Somerset District Council’s decision to give the expansion plans the go-ahead earlier this year was legally flawed.
Councillors considering the planning application were advised by council officers that climate change “was not a material consideration” to be taken into account by local planners as they were bound by Government policy as set out in the 2003 Air Transport White Paper (ATWP).
But SBAE argued the ATWP was now out of date, arguing climate change was a local, as well as national and international issue, and therefore relevant to airport expansion.
Rejecting her argument, Mr Justice Collins ruled at London’s High Court the advice given by the officers was not wrong.
Speaking after the decision, SBAE spokesman Jeremy Birch said: “This is a disappointing and quite frankly surprising decision from the judge. It is has never been more crucial to do everything we can to reduce carbon emissions – yet the planned increase in flights will produce more carbon emissions than all the traffic in Bristol.”
Mr Birch added the group would continue to monitor the expansion of the airport – which aims to increase passenger numbers from six million a year to around 10 million over the next decade.
“SBAE will continue our vigilance to ensure that every one of the 70 conditions attached to the airport’s planning permission from North Somerset Council is properly fulfilled,” he said.
“We have always said we will fight to the end of the road to support local residents and the environment. Local communities will now have to endure yet more traffic congestion, pollution and noise.”
Bristol Airport welcomed the decision, saying the legitimacy of the plans were now “beyond question”.
“Since North Somerset Council recommended approval of the airport’s development plans, the UK Government and now the English courts have found no grounds to challenge or appeal this outcome or the process by which it was reached,” said Robert Sinclair, chief executive officer at Bristol Airport.
“Such a level of scrutiny has simply served to underline the legitimacy of the Council’s decision to grant planning permission, which we are confident is now beyond question.”
Earlier this month, it emerged more than 610,000 passengers passed through Bristol Airport in Sepetmber, making it the busiest September on record.The 1.5% year-on-year increase meant the monthly total surpassed the previous high of 601,432 in 2008.
Mr Sinclair said it was vital for the airport to build on this.
“It is now time to get to work to ensure we can continue to meet demand for travel to and from the South West, providing the connectivity which is vital to the region’s prosperity,” he said.
“Bristol Airport achieved record passenger numbers last month, but enhanced facilities are vital if we are to build on this success by attracting new routes and delivering an improved experience for our customers.”
Pictured: A vision of the expanded Bristol Airport
