Squaring the Circle? Regional Airport Expansion, Climate Change and the Planning Regime

Abstract

Airports are contested infrastructures. They are regarded both as icons of modernity and as a threat to a climate‐neutral future. Judicial review is increasingly relied upon to determine the legality of planning permissions for further airport development in light of climate obligations. Focusing on regional airport development and the review of planning approvals for expansion at Bristol, Southampton and Stansted airports, this article shows how the relevant policies and legislation, as well as the courts in applying these, find cohesion between airport expansion and climate action. These efforts, nonetheless, are tantamount to an attempt at squaring the circle: the fundamental disconnect between climate commitments and the increase in greenhouse gas emissions from regional airport expansion remains unsettled.