NATIONAL Park chiefs have suffered another defeat in their battle to curb the rise in aircraft flights over the New Forest.

The High Court has grounded a bid by the New Forest National Park Authority (NPA) to limit the growth of Bournemouth Airport, where passenger numbers are expected to treble over the next ten years.

The judge, Sir George Newman, rejected the NPA's plea for a judicial review into the way that Christchurch Borough Council approved the scheme.

He also criticised the authority for delaying its challenge until the last moment.

His ruling comes just three months after controversial plans to expand the air corridor used by planes approaching Bournemouth and Southampton airports were given the go-ahead by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), despite opposition from the Forest.

The CAA's decision means more planes will fly over tranquil parts of the area, shattering the peace and quiet enjoyed by villagers.

Now the NPA is having to come to terms with another defeat.

The latest setback centres on plans by Bournemouth Airport to forge ahead with a £32m redevelopment package, including a new terminal.

NPA chiefs sought a judicial review of Christchurch council's decision-making process, claiming the borough ignored the needs of the Forest when granting planning permission.

However, the judge rejected claims that the council had not paid sufficient attention to the requirements of the National Park.

David Jones, chairman of the council's planning committee, accused the NPA of wasting taxpayers' money.

He said: "Contrary to claims by the authority, the council was at all times aware of its legal duties with regard to the impact on the National Park.

"While we recognise the role the NPA plays in protecting the Forest we are sorry that an unelected body chose to waste so much taxpayers money."

An NPA spokesman said: "The way in which the decision was taken to approve the expansion of Bournemouth Airport raised serious concerns.

"It should be remembered that the authority's intention was not to prevent the expansion of Bournemouth Airport but to seek appropriate mitigation for what it sees as the effects of increased traffic and the loss of tranquillity.

"The authority was trying to resolve the issues by negotiation and took the legal route only as a last resort."

Applying for a judicial review is said to have cost the NPA £3,500.

The spokesman added: "The authority does not consider it a waste of money' to try to protect the New Forest National Park."

An airport spokesman claimed that projected passenger growth would result in only one additional aircraft movement an hour.