On Wednesday 16th December 2020, the Supreme Court delivered its judgment on the planned development of a third runway at Heathrow airport. In a disappointing blow to environmentalists, the Supreme Court overturned the Court of Appeal's earlier judgment which had ruled the plans illegal, thus paving the way for the controversial runway to be built. This article will review the decision of the Supreme Court, highlighting the key legal grounds for it, whilst also considering the background to the dispute.
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