By Noora Mykkanen

Copyright metro

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Gatwick Airport has had its controversial second runway plan approved, which is expected to add over 100,000 more flights a year.

The Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, approved Gatwick’s proposal to transform its northern emergency runway into permanent use in a bid to boost capacity.

Flights could be taking off from the second runway by 2029, Metro understands.

The project, which will be entirely privately funded, will see the northern runway moved around 39 feet to cater for more arriving and outgoing flights, and both Gatwick terminals would also be revamped and existing taxiways removelled.

Gatwick Airport’s expansion plan is going full steam ahead (Picture: Gatwick Airport)

Annual passenger numbers are forecast to increase to 80 million a year.

Gatwick says the proposal will add jobs and boost the economy, but campaigners have opposed the plan for years, and have raised concerns over noise and impact on roads from increase in traffic.

A government source told Metro: ‘The Transport Secretary has cleared Gatwick expansion for take-off.

‘With capacity constraints holding back business, trade and tourism, this is a no-brainer for growth.

‘This Government has taken unprecedented steps to get this done, navigating a needlessly complex planning system, which our reforms will simplify in future.

‘It is possible that planes could be taking off from a new full runway at Gatwick before the next general election.

‘Any airport expansion must be delivered in line with our legally binding climate change commitments and meet strict environmental requirements.’

Ms Alexander said after the decision was revealed early: ‘Expanding Gatwick Airport is the right thing to do. Along with new jobs for the area, this project will bring significant national economic benefits, helping deliver our Plan for Change.’

Inside the Gatwick Airport expansion plan

Gatwick is currently one of Europe’s busiest airports with only one runway (Picture: Shutterstock)

Gatwick, located at the Surrey and West Sussex border, handles around 280,000 flights each year.

Permanent use of the second runway is set to increase flight capacity to around 389,000 by the 2030s.

Around 10-15 flights could take off every hour during peak periods when the northern runway is open.

The northern runway is only used in an emergency or for taxiing planes at the moment.

Currently, the main and northern airstrips are too close to each other, so the northern runway is only used when the main runway is out of action.

A chunk of the £2.2 billion pot would be used to move the northern runway by 39 feet, along with extending and revamping both terminals and existing taxiways.

Concerns have been raised over the expansion’s impact on noise levels and traffic (Picture: Shutterstock)

The Transport Secretary’s final decision was first expected in February.

But she only gave preliminary approval for the planning application, known as ‘minded to grant consent.’

The final decision was not expected until October 27, but the letter got published ‘slightly earlier,’ a government source told Metro.

Reaction to the Gatwick expansion

Concerns were raised over traffic and noise, and their impact on the surrounding areas, which was also raised by the planning inspectorate.

It recommended extra controls and noise mitigation measures, which had to be considered before the final approval.

Gatwick had previously agreed to meet stricter noise controls and an insulation scheme for residents in the area.

It said 54% of travellers would use public transport instead of travelling by road before the runway opens.

Hannah Lawrence, a spokesperson for Stay Grounded, a network of over 200 organisations working to cut flying, said: ‘Giving the green light to Gatwick’s second runway prioritises the profit of a few at the expense of all of us.

‘This decision will threaten – rather than create – prosperity for the people of the UK.

‘It will lead to more money flying out of the country and the infrastructure will become worthless as the climate crisis causes chaos. We need animmediate end to airport expansion and money put into improvingsustainable transport such as trains.’

CAGNE, the umbrella campaign group for Sussex, Surrey and Kent, accused the government of caring ‘little for the environmental impact aviation is having on our planet and Gatwick’s neighbours.’

Airport expansions have been in the spotlight this year after several high-profile plans, including the Heathrow bid for a third runway.

The drama over the controversial Heathrow plan deepened after the billionaire businessman, Surinder Arora, revealed his rival proposal with a shorter new runway instead of Heathrow Airport’s plan.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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