There's an article in the Telegraph that gives a further insight into the 'battle lines' being drawn between the Council and Abertis:
Row over Luton airport expansion plans - Telegraph
Is it possible that this consultation business is just an attempt to shock Abertis into doing something rather more dynamic than just tinkering with this and that?
It does seem a bit high-handed of the Council to develop plans for expanding the airport and then tell the operator to adopt those plans
and pay for them or face eviction.
I wonder if the Council saw this hostile reaction coming?