Today
it was announced that campaigners have lost their battle with the
UK Government to ban night flights at Heathrow, the UK's biggest airport
as the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg ruled that night
flights did not breach citizens' right to the "peaceful enjoyment"
of their homes.
Last
year the eight members of the Heathrow anti-noise group, HACAN ClearSkies,
had won their case in Strasbourg last year.
Arguing
that an end to night flights would cause severe disruption to British
airlines and give rival European airlines an unfair advantage the
UK government appealed.
Tony
McNulty Aviation Minister said: "The Government welcomes the
court's final judgment.
"The
Grand Chamber has provided the much needed clarity that the Government
and others were looking for..... today's
judgment clears the way for a thorough review of policy on night flights
at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted.
"In
the meantime, while the Government welcomes today's judgment, it will
need to consider its implications very carefully."
8th
July 2003
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Associated
articles:
Richmond
first with night flights cash
31.05.02
Wandsworth
makes cash call to save night flights ruling May 2002
Residents
face fresh night flights challenge April 2002
Night
flights ruling could come before Christmas November
2002