Gatwick Airport could get a new runway after all following a legal challenge to the Government's plans to expand airport capacity in the South East.

Medway Council wants a judicial review about proposals to build a new four-runway airport beside a bird sanctuary at Cliffe, North Kent and says ministers should expand Gatwick instead.

Controversial plans for a second runway at Gatwick were effectively scrapped forever back in July of this year.

Transport Secretary Alistair Darling ruled out any development for the next 30 years but expansion was unlikely to ever go ahead.

This was because other airports, like the one in Kent, were to be developed to take the strain of rises in passenger numbers from 180 million to 500 million a year.

Now that decision could be reversed if a Medway Council meeting on Monday decides on a legal challenge.

The council is also thinking of challenging the Cliffe plan on the grounds it would contravene the European Birds Directive, which protects important habitats.

A Medway Council spokeswoman said: "Medway Council is to decide whether or not it will challenge the decision, under a judicial review, to omit a Gatwick option from the Government's airport consultation document.

"A special meeting of the full council will take place in the council chamber, in Gillingham, on Monday.

"Councillors will also be considering the appointment of parliamentary lobbyists to support the council in connection with the consultation process."