The plans, which were conceived in the 1960s, have met with great opposition from environmental activists and the area has been occupied for almost ten years by opponents of the construction near the village of Notre-Dame-Des-Landes.

Prime Minister Edouard Philippe calls the decision logical given the impasse the project has reached. Environmental issues are believed to have weighed heavily in the decision. President Emmanuel Macron has highlighted climate issues and a yes to the airport would have damaged his credibility on climate issues, according to analysts.

Environmentalists are cheering, but Nantes Mayor Johanna Rolland calls the decision ”a betrayal and a major blow to western France.” Construction giant Vinci, which has been contracted to build and operate the airport for 55 years, wants compensation. Independent experts have spoken of compensation of 350 million euros, a sum that the government questions.

Source: TT