New Civil Engineer
Tom Pashby
04 August 2025
An anti-Luton Airport expansion group has been granted permission by the High Court to challenge expansion plans via a judicial review.
Luton and District Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise (Ladacan), represented by lawyers Leigh Day, applied for permission to bring the proceedings in May 2025.
Luton Rising submitted its development consent order (DCO) application in February 2023. Then in April 2025, transport secretary Heidi Alexander granted approval for the expansion of Luton Airport, despite a clear recommendation from the Planning Inspectorate to reject the plans [due environment / climate concerns and resident quality of life]
The grounds for the claim are:
- There was an error in law in that greenhouse gas emissions from inbound flights were excluded from the environmental impact assessment (EIA).
- There was a lack of consistency in approach between the Luton Airport decision and the Gatwick Airport expansion, which has been delayed while environmental concerns are addressed.
- There was an error in law in that the likely significant impacts of non-carbon dioxide emissions were excluded from the EIA.
- There was an error in law concluding that the government’s duty under the Climate Change Act 2008 to adopt policies and procedures to help reach net zero was a “pollution control regime”.
- There was a failure to comply with duties under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, which require that developments in an area of outstanding national beauty must seek to further the conservation and enhancement of the area.
A Luton Rising spokesperson said: “We are aware of the decision of the Court.
“While legal proceedings are in progress it would not be appropriate to comment further.”..
Luton Airport expansion | High court permits legal challenge to go ahead | New Civil Engineer
