CAMPAIGNERS are in confident mood after the first day of their legal battle against the decision to allow the expansion of London City Airport.

Residents' group Fight The Flights (FTF) today (November 18) began its High Court challenge against Newham Council for rubber-stamping a rise to 120,000 flights per year in July 2009.

The group argues that the council ignored the Government's stance on aviation and its effect on climate change, and that it failed to consult residents in other boroughs, including Redbridge, in the decision-making process.

For several years people living in the west of the borough, particularly in Wanstead, have complained about the noise of aircraft soaring overhead every few minutes throughout the day.

Earlier this year, Redbridge Council also levelled criticism against its neighbouring authority, saying it had not been properly consulted.

Speaking after the first day of the two-day hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice in central London, the chairwoman of FTF, Anne-Marie Griffin, said: “After the last three years spent on our campaign, and in particular the last year on this case, there is a sense of achievement.

“I feel to get as far as we have is pretty good for a residents group that has to rely on donations to cover its legal costs.

“It's healthy for a council to ask questions of its neighbours, whether they share the same party politics or not, and to actually challenge things, even if it risks upsetting the relationship.

“We really feel that this has given a voice to the residents of the boroughs who felt they weren't asked about the expansion, or were asked and submitted their views but felt they weren't listened to.”

Mrs Griffin said she wasn't expecting the judges decision to come for at least several weeks.

She added: “After this it will take some time for a decision to be made. The judges could call us back just before Christmas or perhaps after the New Year.

“We just have to put our faith in the justice system and the judges, and we're sure they'll take an objective view once they've heard both sides to the argument and they reach their decision.”

A Newham Council spokesman said that it would be inappropriate to comment on the case before judges reach a decision.

The hearing is due to conclude tomorrow afternoon.