Heathrow The plan to expand Heathrow airport with a third runway, sixth terminal and 600 extra daily flights should be placed on hold because it is based on flawed data, according to the Government's environmental watchdog.

The Sustainable Development Commission (SDC) is calling for an independent review of the case for expanding airports. A review would delay the new runway for several years and could lead to the proposal being abandoned.

In a report published today, the SDC said there was “fundamental disagreement” over the benefits which the Department for Transport (DfT) claims would arise from permitting new runways at Heathrow and Stansted.

The commission's investigation found that a “lack of policy coherence across Government is contributing to confusion and uncertainty”. It recommends that the Government should appoint an independent figure to chair a special commission.

Times Recommends

• Equitable Life halts £7bn sale on market turmoil
• Potential buyers emerge to save Woolworths staff
• Terrorist attacks close Bombay Stock Exchange