CAMPAIGNERS have lost their High Court battle to block an "extremely large" increase in the number of flights proposed for London City Airport.

Two judges rejected accusations that the key decision by Newham Council to permit the increase in the number of take-offs and landings was so legally flawed that it must be quashed.

Bexley Council and former Erith and Thamesmead MP John Austin had previously tried and failed to have the plans called in by the Secretary of State because of concerns over increased low-flying planes over Thamesmead.

Members of the Fight the Flights campaign group argued noise pollution levels at the airport are already almost unbearable and the extremely large flight increases would make them intolerable.

They accused Newham Council of "erring in law" by failing to take into account a "fundamental change" in Government policy on aviation policy and climate change. They also said the local authority had erred by failing to consult the neighbouring London boroughs of Waltham Forest and Redbridge, or the residents of those boroughs.

But Lord Justice Pill and Mr Justice Roderick Evans, sitting in London, rejected campaigners’ accusations and dismissed the legal challenge.

London City released an economic impact assessment showing the alleged benefits of increasing the number of flights to 120,000 a year, pointing out the airport contributed more than £500 million per annum to the economy.

Anne-Marie Griffin, chairwoman of Fight the Flights, who lives in Thamesmead, is now considering launching an appeal.

Nathalie Lieven QC, representing Ms Griffin, had told the High Court judges at a hearing last November: "There is no doubt there will be a significant impact on people living around the airport, particularly in terms of noise."

In broad terms, the number of flights from the airport, which was in a densely-populated part of London, would increase from between 70,000 and 80,000 to 120,000 each year, said the QC.

After the decision Darren Johnson, a London Assembly Green Party member and Lewisham councillor, said: "I am extremely disappointed that the court did not support the residents' challenge to the disastrous decision to expand London City Airport.

“Local people and environmental groups had overwhelming arguments against expansion, as the pollution, noise and health impacts are far too high a price for more flights."