By Roddy AshworthFIVE councils have stepped up their attempt to stop the planned expansion of Stansted Airport by seeking a judicial review of the proposal.

By Roddy Ashworth

FIVE councils have stepped up their attempt to stop the planned expansion of Stansted Airport by seeking a judicial review of the proposal.

Essex County Council and Uttlesford District Council are among five local authorities who are opposed to the Government's aviation White Paper, which supported the creation of a new runway at Stansted Airport by 2011.

Last month the councils began their legal objections to the airport expansion by formally writing to Transport Secretary Alistair Darling, outlining their concerns and seeking the opportunity to have the White Paper revised.

Now they have taken the next step in the legal process by lodging leave to seek a judicial review of the Government's future aviation plan.

Lord Hanningfield, leader of Essex County Council, added: “Airports in the UK have a history of creeping expansion. We are being asked to accept a four-fold increase in the capacity of Stansted.

“This is not acceptable and it stretches credulity that we be expected to accept a location of a second runway that would give the airport the footprint and hence the potential capacity to be the world's largest airport.”

Hertfordshire County, North Hertfordshire District and East Hertfordshire District Councils are the other councils seeking leave for a judicial review.

Another attempt to seek a judicial review was launched earlier this month by pressure groups, including Stop Stansted Expansion.

They claimed the Government had not consulted properly before reaching the conclusions published in its White Paper.

roddy.ashworth@eadt.co.uk