A JUDGE has granted opponents of plans to expand Heathrow permission to appeal their claims in a hearing beginning on October 21.

The Government had argued permission should be refused, but Lord Justice Lindblom said in the Court of Appeal: "The importance of the issues raised in these and related proceedings is obvious."

Paul Beckford, policy director of the No 3rd Runway Coalition, said: “Our fight will continue to end the plans that would blight our environment and fall flat in the face of our climate emergency. We expect to win.”

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Rob Barnstone, Coordinator of Stop Heathrow Expansion, said: “Boris Johnson knows Heathrow expansion cannot meet environmental targets, including on noise and air pollution.

“Mr Johnson has indicated he will be following the legal and planning processes very carefully. Then, at the appropriate time, the project can be cancelled.

“We don’t expect any gimmicks but remain confident Mr Johnson will stop this disastrous project, albeit at the correct time in the process.

"The decision by the Court of Appeal today may make that time a little sooner than previously thought.”