Four local authorities – Richmond, Wandsworth, Hillingdon and the Windsor and Maidenhead – are threatening to take the Government to court unless it drops plans for a 3rd runway at Heathrow.
In a letter to the Government its solicitors cite failings in the Airport Commission’s report over noise and air pollution as reasons for a legal challenge. They also say that, on the basis of David Cameron’s clear promise in 2009, ‘No ifs; no buts; there will be no 3rd runway’, people in the Heathrow villages had a ‘legitimate expectation’ that they could plan their lives on the basis that no runway would be built.
Any challenge is expected to be made after the Government makes known its decision later this year as it is that decision that will be challenged in the courts.