HIGH COURT REJECTS CLIMATE CHANGE CHALLENGE TO AIRPORT PERMISSION

The Administrative Court recently refused permission to judicially review the planning permission allowing increases in capacity and associated infrastructure at Bristol City Airport. The permission was challenged on climate change grounds: R (SBAE) v North Somerset District Council (25 October 2011, High Court).  In refusing permission at an oral hearing, Collins J followed an early case of R (Griffin) v London Borough of Newham [2011] EWHC 53 where a similar argument had been rejected by the High Court and Court of Appeal in respect of London City Airport.   James Pereira represented the successful airport in the Bristol case, instructed by Brian Greenwood of Osbourne Clarke.  He also acted for the successful London City Airport in the Griffin case, instructed by Duncan Field of SJ Berwin.