“I’M NOT surprised” said Windsor and Maidenhead’s council leader after Heathrow won an appeal against blocked third runway plans.

 On May 7 the Supreme Court granted Heathrow Airport permission to appeal the Court of Appeal’s ruling that the government had not taken into account the climate change impact it would have – calling it ‘unlawful’.

The announcement came a day after MPs were told by Heathrow’s chief executive John Holland-Kaye that the £14 billion project was likely to be 10-15 years away due to many flights being grounded because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

READ MORE: Windsor and Maidenhead cabinet decision to be reviewed

Councillor Andrew Johnson (Conservative: Hurley and Walthams), leader of the council, said: “I’m not surprised given the extreme public interest in the issue and, in particular, the appeal.

“It was almost a given that the Supreme Court would allow a hearing to be held.

“Our formal position is we’re not seeking to carry on as a council with the challenge we were leading with other council’s and other parties because that would not be an effective use of taxpayers’ money.

“It will always be the case of ‘third time lucky’ or not potentially as the case may be – but what we will be doing is giving our support to the challenge that was successful in the Court of Appeal that seems to have achieved a result as to far as the government’s policy was thrown out.”

No date has been set for the hearing. The government stated it will abide by the Supreme Court’s decision.

READ MORE: Government criticised over repatriation of UK residents

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, along with four other local authorities, lobbied to challenge parliament’s decision to expand Heathrow Airport by launching a judicial review.

A Heathrow Airport spokeswoman said: “Responding to the impacts of COVID-19 is our priority right now. We do believe that once the benefits of air travel and connectivity have been restored in years to come, an expanded Heathrow will be required.

“This privately funded project will see billions of pounds pumped into the UK’s economy, stimulating sectors across the country and creating tens of thousands of new jobs.

“To that end, we are pleased to have been granted permission by the Supreme Court to appeal. Heathrow is more than just an airport, it is the cornerstone of the UK economy and will be the engine room that powers our regions back to growth in the future.”