UK AIRPORT EXPANSION plans could be further delayed following a High Court decision last week that Gatwick airport must be included in aviation expansion plans. It was thought that since a legal agreement had been drawn up some years back between the airport and West Sussex Council banning any new second runway until 2019 that the airport was outside the scope of the current consultation. Not so said the High Court, Alistair Darling, the Transport Secretary, saying that the Airport White Paper due next spring will be delayed. He confirmed the Government would not be appealing against the decision, because it would extend the uncertainty that would result from a lengthy appeal process.
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