Challenges to Heathrow runway and HS2 to be hit by law lifting cap on legal costs

Government changes to rules on claimants' costs could make it harder for anyone to challenge public projects, warn campaigners, lawyers and politicians

Environmental legal challenges face being hit by the "chilling effect" of new government rules that remove a cap on claimants' costs, according to campaigners, lawyers and politicians.

They warn that the changes could deter organisations and individuals challenging projects such as fracking wells, HS2 and the Heathrow third runway for fear of racking up huge court costs.