Government won’t appeal a Court of Appeal ruling, halting UK’s efforts to grow air capacity by building third Heathrow runway.
Heathrow Airports’ plans to build a third runway have been shot down today after it has been confirmed that the government won’t appeal a court ruling that blocks the project from going any further on environmental grounds.
The Court of Appeal ruled in favour of the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, environmental campaigners and Hillingdon Council, saying that the government hadn’t considered its commitments to the Paris Climate Agreement.
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Boris Johnson had been a very vocal critic of the project since before he was Prime Minister, and transport secretary Grant Shapps has confirmed that the government will not appeal the court’s decision.
“Airport expansion is core to boosting global connectivity,” Mr Schapps tweeted.
“We also take seriously our commitment to the environment. This govt won’t appeal today’s judgement given our manifesto makes clear any Heathrow expansion will be industry led.”
However, Heathrow’s chief executive John Holland-Kaye told Sky News:
“No Heathrow expansion, no global Britain.”
And the airport has said that it would take the case to the Supreme Court.
Some businesses had argued that it is crucial to the economy as the airport is already operating at full capacity, saying that the UK is at risk of being left behind.
Heathrow bosses had hoped that work on the runway would begin as early as next year, and recent estimates say it would b completed 2029.
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It was argued by environmental groups, that the government’s decision to approve the third runway was unlawful because the UK had pledged try to keep global temperature increases below 2C under the Paris climate accord.
Overturning the position is a stunning triumph for environmental groups and a landmark moment for many campaigners, regulators and developers.
