Published: 14/11/2008 00:00 -
Updated: 31/12/2008 13:04
STOP Stansted Expansion has today Friday, November 14, lodged an appeal with the High Court challenging last month's decision by the Government to sanction an additional 10 million passengers a year on Stansted's existing runway.
The campaign group's action comes within days of it being confirmed that a public inquiry to consider BAA's plans for a second runway at Stansted - which would take the number of passengers to 68m a year - is to start in April 2009.
SSE's legal action will challenge three aspects of the Government's decision to approve the extra 10 million passengers a year, to about 35m, and the related extra flights.
Firstly, that the increase in carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gas emissions, however substantial, can be disregarded in the decision to approve the extra flights.
Secondly, that the economic impact on the UK trade deficit, however adverse, can be disregarded.
And thirdly, that the adverse noise impacts upon local residents and people living further afield cannot amount to a reason for refusal because to do so would frustrate Government policy.
Having taken counsel's advice, SSE considers the Government's reasoning on those three points to be wrong in law and in breach of clear assurances previously provided. If allowed to go unchallenged, the Government's decision could have national repercussions, as well as impacts on the case against a second runway at Stansted, it says.
SSE chairman Peter Sanders said: "We have no choice but to mount a legal challenge to this decision. When it reaches the stage where the Government is prepared to disregard the climate change impacts, the noise impacts and even the interests of the UK economy in order to satisfy its obsession for airport expansion, then it is time to ask the High Court to intervene. The issues at stake here go far wider than Stansted."
He added: "This will be a major strain on our financial resources, especially since we also face the prospect of having to contest plans for a second Stansted runway at a major public inquiry next year. We are therefore appealing to the public for their support."
Major national environmental groups are supporting SSE's decision to mount the High Court challenge and in some cases have even promised financial support. These include the Campaign to Protect Rural England, Woodland Trust, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace, Aviation Environment Federation, Heathrow's campaign group HACAN Clear Skies, Plane Stupid, Ramblers' Association, We Can and World Development Movement.
Donations and pledges to SSE for the High Court Appeal Fighting Fund should be sent to SSE at PO Box 311, Takeley, Bishop's Stortford, Herts CM22 6PY.
The campaign group's action comes within days of it being confirmed that a public inquiry to consider BAA's plans for a second runway at Stansted - which would take the number of passengers to 68m a year - is to start in April 2009.
SSE's legal action will challenge three aspects of the Government's decision to approve the extra 10 million passengers a year, to about 35m, and the related extra flights.
Firstly, that the increase in carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gas emissions, however substantial, can be disregarded in the decision to approve the extra flights.
Secondly, that the economic impact on the UK trade deficit, however adverse, can be disregarded.
And thirdly, that the adverse noise impacts upon local residents and people living further afield cannot amount to a reason for refusal because to do so would frustrate Government policy.
Having taken counsel's advice, SSE considers the Government's reasoning on those three points to be wrong in law and in breach of clear assurances previously provided. If allowed to go unchallenged, the Government's decision could have national repercussions, as well as impacts on the case against a second runway at Stansted, it says.
SSE chairman Peter Sanders said: "We have no choice but to mount a legal challenge to this decision. When it reaches the stage where the Government is prepared to disregard the climate change impacts, the noise impacts and even the interests of the UK economy in order to satisfy its obsession for airport expansion, then it is time to ask the High Court to intervene. The issues at stake here go far wider than Stansted."
He added: "This will be a major strain on our financial resources, especially since we also face the prospect of having to contest plans for a second Stansted runway at a major public inquiry next year. We are therefore appealing to the public for their support."
Major national environmental groups are supporting SSE's decision to mount the High Court challenge and in some cases have even promised financial support. These include the Campaign to Protect Rural England, Woodland Trust, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace, Aviation Environment Federation, Heathrow's campaign group HACAN Clear Skies, Plane Stupid, Ramblers' Association, We Can and World Development Movement.
Donations and pledges to SSE for the High Court Appeal Fighting Fund should be sent to SSE at PO Box 311, Takeley, Bishop's Stortford, Herts CM22 6PY.
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