In the High Court in Belfast yesterday, Mr Justice Kerr reserved a decision over an objection to Belfast City Airport's proposed £20 million sterling terminal at Sydenham. The rival Belfast International Airport (BIA) at Aldergrove is seeking a judicial review of planning permission for the new terminal.

TBI, the Welsh-based company which owns BIA, has based its case on environmental concerns.

It claims the Department of the Environment failed to comply with European directives on conserving natural habitats. The company also claims the DoE failed to impose any conditions safeguarding flora and fauna in an adjoining area.

Applying for leave to proceed with the judicial review, Mr Donnell Deeny, QC, said planning permission had been granted without an inquiry with the result that ecology issues had not been examined.

Mr Bernard McCloskey, QC, for the DoE, said the regulations excluding effects which were either negligible or nil, and this was the case in respect of flora and fauna. Work on the project has already started.

Mr Justice Kerr said he would give judgment on the application on Monday.