Date set for airport plans review

The legal challenge will begin on 13 December

A coalition opposed to expansion at Stansted and Luton airports is to begin its legal challenge against the plans in December, it has been revealed.

The group - led by Hertfordshire and Essex county councils - was granted permission to seek judicial review of the government-backed scheme in June.

They claim the proposals - contained in the government's aviation White Paper - are "fundamentally flawed."

The councils will argue their views in court starting on 13 December.

The White Paper would allow a second runway to be built at Stansted as well as expanding the runway at Luton - increasing flight capacity at both airports.

'No consideration'

Robert Ellis, leader of Hertfordshire council said: "There is no doubt government plans to expand Stansted and Luton airports would have a serious effect.

"There is little or no consideration of how our road and rail infrastructure would cope with the extra pressure and the irreversible impact airport expansion would have on our environment."

Hertfordshire and Essex councils are joined in the legal challenge by East Hertfordshire, North Hertfordshire and Uttlesford local authorities.

Campaign group Stop Stansted Expansion has also been granted a judicial review.

The Department of Transport has said it would stand by the White Paper and was prepared to answer all the legal challenges in court.

The judge and the location of the hearing have yet to be confirmed.