Backers of an alternative scheme to expand Heathrow have filed for a judicial review of the government’s decision to approve plans for a third runway at the London hub.
Heathrow Hub, the independent proposal for expanding the airport via an extension to the northern runway, argues that its scheme is cheaper and would involve less disruption.
It wants a legal review of transport secretary Chris Grayling’s decision to designate a National Policy Statement which gives approval to Heathrow’s north-west runway plan.
“It is Heathrow Hub’s belief that the process run by the Department for Transport, which commenced when it set up the Airports Commission in 2013 and culminated in the National Policy Statement being placed before Parliament was flawed,” Heathrow hub said.
“As a result, Mr Grayling has selected the most expensive, complex, disruptive expansion plan which, among other things, we believe will unnecessarily cause a substantial rise is fees for passengers and airlines.”