A vote on plans to build a third runway at Heathrow Airport in west London, has narrowly gone in favour of the government, despite the decision of 28 Labour MPs to oppose the multi-billion pound project.

The tourism industry has already welcomed the government's decision to approve the expansion of Heathrow, which survived a parliamentary motion against the scheme, put forward by the Conservative Party, after the government refused to agree to a binding vote on the issue. Additional terminal facilities will also be built at the airport as part of the proposals, which have been met with fierce opposition from local residents, MPs and councillors.

The Conservative motion was defeated by 297 votes to 278, leaving the government with a slim majority of just 19, with some potential rebels reportedly won over by a raft of environmental measures. Boris Johnson, mayor of London, has already confirmed that he will support any legal bid in opposition of the Heathrow plans, which – as reported yesterday – could also spell the end of expansion schemes at all other British airports.