Reports suggest Conservatives and Lib Dems are already clashing over controversial plans for new airport

The coalition is set to face the most high profile test to date of its commitment to a low carbon economy, after it was confirmed the government will launch a formal consultation on controversial proposals for a new airport in the Thames Estuary.

Dubbed “Boris Island”, after its most prominent supporter, the Mayor of London, the proposed airport will face intense opposition from conservation groups concerned about the impact on millions of birds in the area and environmental groups who argue airport expansion runs counter to the UK’s goal of slashing carbon emissions by 80 per cent by 2050.

Reports this morning confirmed that a consultation on the plans will be launched in March alongside the scheduled release of the government’s new aviation strategy.

The government has ruled out plans for a third runway at Heathrow as well as proposals to expand Stansted and Gatwick. However, ministers are facing growing calls from London Mayor Boris Johnson and a number of business leaders to approve an increase in airport capacity in the south east, amid fears London could lose business to other aviation hubs in Europe.

Johnson, who has long touted plans for a new airport drawn up by architect Norman Foster, told the BBC earlier today that the airport would provide a major boost to UK competitiveness.

“We can’t go on expecting Britain to compete with France, Germany and other European countries when we simply can’t supply the flights to these growth destinations – China, Latin America,” he said.

The Daily Telegraph reported this morning that Prime Minister David Cameron was warming to the idea of a new airport in the Thames Estuary and could offer “provisional support” for the plans.

However, the government will face political as well as environmental challenges if it is to move forward with the controversial plans.

The Telegraph reported that the consultation was originally intended to be confirmed earlier this month as part of the announcement on the government’s plans for a new high-speed rail link between London and Birmingham.

However, the announcement was blocked by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg in response to Liberal Democrat concerns over the proposals.

The Lib Dems currently oppose all plans for airport expansion in the south east and while the Telegraph reported that Clegg had an “open mind” on the proposals, the BBC reported this morning that he would allow the consultation to go ahead but remained opposed to the plans.

In addition, Tracey Crouch, Conservative MP for estuary constituency Chatham and Aylesford, wrote on Twitter today that the “consultation on Boris Airport is a tedious, unnecessary, expensive waste of taxpayers’ money”.

Ministers will also be under pressure to demonstrate that any new airport will not run counter to the legally binding emissions targets contained in the Climate Change Act, which require the UK to slash emissions 80 per cent by 2050.

Environmental groups are preparing to mobilise major opposition against the proposals focused on the danger that will be posed to millions of nesting migratory birds and the increase in greenhouse gas emissions that will result from additional airport capacity.

Friends of the Earth’s Executive Director Andy Atkins said the plans represented a straight test of the government’s commitment to curbing greenhouse gas emissions.

“A new airport in the Thames estuary would have a devastating impact on local communities and the environment – and all for pie-in-the sky economics that simply don’t add up,” he said. “London doesn’t need another hub airport – the capital already has more flights to the world’s main business destinations than our European neighbours.

“David Cameron’s pledge to lead the greenest Government ever will ring hollow if he gives the green light to a huge expansion in air travel.”

A Department for Transport spokesman insisted no decision on the proposals has yet been taken.

“As the Chancellor made clear in his autumn statement, we will explore all the options for maintaining the UK’s aviation hub status, with the exception of a third runway at Heathrow,” he said. “The government will consult on a sustainable framework for UK aviation this spring at which time we will set out our long-term plans for the sector.”

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