The expansion of Stansted could be challenged in court

Lawyers acting for businesses and pressure groups are looking at taking ministers to court over plans to increase the size of Stansted, Heathrow, Luton and Gatwick.

On Sunday, Bar UK, the trade association for scheduled airlines doing business in Britain, became the latest organisation to talk about possible legal action.

Bar UK is unhappy that the government is proposing to expand Stansted airport in Essex ahead of Heathrow and Gatwick.

The trade association wants the government to build a third, short, runway at Heathrow airport in west London and a second runway at Gatwick airport in West Sussex.

People living near Stansted have been vocal opponents of expansion

But Bar UK said that, should the government opt for a new runway at Stansted, it was doubtful if it could be funded from the income generated there.

It said the money would have to come from profits made by airport operator BAA at Heathrow and Gatwick.

Bar UK's chairman, Mike Carter, said: "If the government proposes to develop new runway capacity at Stansted before Heathrow and Gatwick, and to have that expansion funded by the users of BAA's other two London airports, I expect Bar UK members to support a recourse to legal action."

BAA admits that, while a new runway at Stansted was financially feasible, the charges would need to be "shared" by users of every London airport.

Transport Secretary Alistair Darling, who is expected to publish the White Paper in mid-December, has said that "doing nothing is not an option" as he seeks to find solutions to cope with aviation demands for the next 30 years.

Demand for air travel is expected to more than double over 30 years

Other problems facing Mr Darling as he prepares the White Paper include: