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Legal victory for Heathrow opponents
Government plans to build a third runway at London's Heathrow Airport have been dealt a severe blow after the High Court ruled the decision would be "untenable in law".
The proposed expansion of the airport was given the green light in January 2009 by then-transport secretary Geoff Hoon, but will now be forced back to the drawing board. Lord Justice Carnwath ruled the 2003 Air Transport White Paper could not be used to justify airport expansion plans as it conflicts with the Climate Change Act 2008.
The judgement means the government will now have to go back over its aviation policy in order to consider the implications of the 2008 legislation. Hillingdon Council leader Ray Puddifoot - speaking on behalf of six local authorities opposed to the Heathrow plans, said: "The Government had been trying to close down debate on the true economic impact of a third runway by presenting it as a done deal.
"This ruling has blown that position apart. The government just did not want to have to take on board the real consequences of new climate change laws. The judge made it clear the figures just did not add up."