Minister has ‘set out path to approving’ Gatwick expansion – source

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has “set out a path to approving” Gatwick Airport’s expansion project, a Government source has said.

This comes after the Planning Inspectorate initially rejected the West Sussex airport’s application to bring its emergency runway into routine use.

The Planning Inspectorate then recommended Ms Alexander should give the project the go-ahead if adjustments are made on issues such as the proportion of passengers who travel to and from the airport by public transport, and noise mitigation.

It is understood to be the first time the body has recommended an alternative plan when assessing a project.

Gatwick has until April 24 to respond to the new proposals, shortly after which Ms Alexander is expected to make a final decision.

A Government source told the PA news agency: “The Transport Secretary has set out a path to approving the expansion of Gatwick today following the Planning Inspectorate’s recommendation to refuse the original application.

“This is an important step forward and demonstrates that this Government will stop at nothing to deliver economic growth and new infrastructure as part of our Plan for Change.

“Expansion will bring huge benefits for business and represents a victory for holidaymakers. We want to deliver this opportunity in line with our legal, environmental and climate obligations.

“We look forward to Gatwick’s response as they have indicated planes could take off from a new runway before the end of this Parliament.”

Gatwick’s £2.2 billion privately financed project would see it move the emergency runway 12 metres north, enabling it to be used for departures of narrow-bodied planes such as Airbus A320s and Boeing 737s.

This would enable it to be used for around 100,000 more flights a year.

In a speech at a gathering of aviation leaders on Tuesday night, Ms Alexander said she “believes in airport expansion” and is “not some sort of flight-shaming eco-warrior”.

In addition to making a decision on Gatwick, Ms Alexander also has a deadline of April 3 to determine whether Luton Airport’s expansion plan can go ahead.

Meanwhile, Heathrow Airport is developing detailed plans for its third runway project.

Ms Alexander said her job as the “decision maker” on airport expansion is to “strike a balance” between the potential benefits of jobs, trade and tourism, with “tough questions”, such as whether the schemes will be compatible with the UK’s climate and air quality obligations, whether noise can be minimised and if costs will be “shared fairly”.

Gatwick’s plan also involves remodelling and replacing existing taxiways – which connect runways to terminals, hangars and other facilities – extending both terminals, and installing new aircraft gates.

The airport says its scheme is “shovel ready” and construction could start this year.

It hopes the upgraded runway will be operational by the end of the decade.

Gatwick says its plans would create £1 billion per year in economic benefits, and generate an additional 14,000 jobs.

Local campaigners opposed to Gatwick’s expansion have expressed concerns over the impact on surface transport, noise, housing provision and wastewater treatment.

But the airport insists it has conducted “full and thorough assessments” of those issues.