This was one of Yorkshire’s most controversial planning applications in decades due to the negative environmental damage airport expansion would cause.

Planning officers had recommended approving the application despite a significant amount of opposition from across West Yorkshire.

Nine Leeds councillors voted to approve the plans and five including Green councillor, David Blackburn (Farnley & Wortley Ward), voted against.

Councillor Andrew Cooper, Green Party Candidate for Mayor of West Yorkshire Mayor and a Kirklees Councillor, said

“This is incredibly disappointing news and takes us backwards in our response to the climate crisis.

“This ruling today just makes a mockery of how our councils here in West Yorkshire are responding to their climate commitments. There is simply no room for airport expansion in a climate emergency. It just does not make sense when the UK as a whole has to reduce its carbon emissions as quickly as possible.

“This has been a real ‘David and Goliath’ story as, on the one side is a large global pension fund who own the airport, and on the other is a crowd-funded campaign and lots of hard work by ordinary but committed people, including many Green Party members.

“Leeds Council have sent a clear message that commercial interests are more important than the views of local people, the protection of our environment and the wellbeing of future generations.”

Bradford Council in particular came under fire after it told Leeds City Council that it has ‘no objection’ to the airport’s planning application. Campaigners have accused the Labour-run authority of ignoring its own Climate Emergency declaration.

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The court of appeal has ruled that plans for a third runway at Heathrow airport are illegal because ministers have failed to adequately take into account their own commitments to tackle climate change.

Councillor Andrew Cooper, leader of the Green Party on Kirklees Council has urged West Yorkshire Combined Authority to not use public money to help the multi-million pound expansion of Leeds Bradford Airport.

He said: “Today’s Heathrow judgement has serious implications for West Yorkshire Combined Authority and the councils here in Yorkshire that have supported airport expansion.

“The courts have said that climate change can no longer be ignored in policy decisions.

“West Yorkshire council leaders and councillors from the three main parties will have to stop paying lip service to our environment – one minute saying we need to do something about climate change and the next supporting projects we know will have catastrophic impact on increasing carbon emission.

“I am calling on West Yorkshire Combined Authority to meet and review their decision in light of this legal judgement.”

Green Party transport spokesperson Caroline Russell, who was at the court for the ruling, said:

“This decision shows business as usual has no place in a climate emergency. Of course we cannot expand aviation in the middle of a climate crisis.

“We are pleased the courts have upheld the will of Parliament on the need to tackle the climate emergency.

“It’s fantastic this is the first time in the world the Paris Agreement has been used as the basis for a ruling and we hope it opens the door for more challenges to allow the people to take power back from big business and protect our planet.

“Greens across the country will continue to fight off expansion at airports across the country.”

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