Community group launches legal challenge over Luton Airport expansion
They argue the government overlooked its own planning inspectors' recommendations
A legal battle has been launched against the UK government following its decision to approve a major expansion of London Luton Airport.
Local campaign group LADACAN (Luton And District Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise) has initiated judicial review proceedings, citing environmental, health, and planning concerns.
In early April, Transport Minister Heidi Alexander approved plans to increase the airport’s capacity from 18 million to 32 million passengers annually by 2043, overruling the recommendation of the government’s own panel of planning inspectors, who had advised against the proposal due to its significant environmental impact.
Andrew Lambourne, chair of LADACAN, said: "The inspectors recommended that the application should not be allowed to proceed because of its very heavy environmental impacts, not just noise. They were concerned about climate change. They were concerned about effects on historic buildings. They were concerned about the Chilterns.
"Heidi Alexander has then gone ahead and overturned that, and we don’t think her reasoning is sound, and that’s why we’ve launched the beginnings of an application for a judicial review."
The group argues that Luton Rising – the airport’s owner, itself owned by Luton Borough Council – broke noise planning conditions for three consecutive years prior to the pandemic by incentivising rapid passenger growth.
Mr Lambourne also raised concerns about the government's overall strategy on aviation and climate targets.
He said: "The government isn’t looking at the big picture. They’ve got a net zero commitment which is legally binding.
"They don’t know how the aviation industry is going to decarbonise. They don’t have a plan which says, well, let’s set a national budget for aviation carbon and aviation expansion."
The legal letter submitted by LADACAN’s lawyers argues that the decision was "unlawful and unsound" and calls on the Secretary of State to respond ahead of a judicial review deadline on 15 May.
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer previously said: "we do factor in Net Zero, and of course at the same time we're pushing ahead with sustainable fuels."
Infrastructure capacity, night flight increases, and climate commitments are also at the heart of the campaigners’ objections.
"Luton Airport is quite simply in the wrong place for massive further expansion," Mr Lambourne said, citing poor east-west rail connections, overcrowded roads, and health risks from pollution.
He warned the airport’s location on a hill with flight paths over populated areas increases disruption, especially with proposed growth in night flights.
Upon announcement last month, a Government source said: "The Transport Secretary has approved the expansion of Luton airport for its benefits to Luton and the wider UK economy.
"The decision overturns the Planning Inspectorate's recommendation for refusal.
"Expansion will deliver huge growth benefits for Luton with thousands of good, new jobs and a cash boost for the local council which owns the airport.
"This is the 14th development consent order approved by this Labour Government, demonstrating we will stop at nothing to deliver economic growth and new infrastructure as part of our plan for change."
LADACAN is expecting a formal response from the government later this week and has stated it is prepared to take the case to the High Court if necessary.