A leading Government body has called for an independent review of aviation policy, including Heathrow expansion plans.

The Sustainable Developments Commission (SDC) reports directly to the Prime Minister on a number of contentious issues.

Announcing its decision yesterday, SDC commissioner Hugh Raven, said: “Until some basic questions are answered, we cannot be in a position to make decisions about the future of air travel.

“The Government must live up to its commitment to listening to citizens and stakeholders, and act to ensure we make the best possible decisions for everyone involved.”

In response to the news Wandsworth Council leader Edward Lister said: “First the environment agency now the SDC, how many more of the Government’s own advisers have to tell Gordon Brown that he has got it wrong on Heathrow expansion?

“The economic case for expanding Heathrow seems to hinge on a future of cheaper flights and ever-growing demand. But none of these assumptions seem to take account of rising oil costs, the economic downturn or the government’s own CO2 targets.

“No serious attempt has been made to compare the benefits of a third runway with other transport solutions such as high speed rail for which there is great demand on Scotland and the North.

“It’s five years since the airports white paper was published and it is looking increasingly irrelevant to the nation’s transport needs.

“Brown should order an independent study that looks at the full impact of expanding Heathrow on all sectors of the economy – and compares it to the alternatives. There must be more to UK transport policy than what is good for BAA.”

• To see the commissions findings visit sd-commission.org.uk.