The High Court ruling may not be known until next year

The airport owners' appeal against a government decision blocking their bid for a new passenger terminal has been scheduled for early October.

Archy Muir, who chairs the residents' group opposing the plans, said the airport would waste "an awful lot of money" because it would not win.

The airport's owners claim the public inquiry decision was legally flawed.

The inquiry last summer concluded that a new terminal, which would be able to handle up to two million passengers a year, would have an adverse impact on noise in the area.

Airport protesters say the terminal raises issues of noise and pollution.

However, the airport says it is hoping to resolve these concerns and the new terminal would help the "economic regeneration" of Coventry.

Mr Justice Wyn Williams scheduled the first available date after 6 October for the complex appeal hearing, where the airport will raise 19 grounds to challenge the government's decision.

The appeal could last weeks and the ruling may not be known until early 2009.