High Court Upholds Gatwick’s £2.2 Billion Expansion, Clearing Path for 389,000 Flights
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jun 23
High Court Upholds Gatwick’s £2.2 Billion Expansion, Clearing Path for 389,000 Flights
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jun 23
Summary
Mr Justice Mould dismissed two judicial review challenges to the government’s approval of Gatwick’s £2.2 billion expansion, rejecting campaigners’ claims that ministers had unlawfully assessed climate impacts.
The ruling said the project would not “materially impact” the UK’s ability to meet net-zero targets and found Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander’s conclusions rational and properly reasoned.
Gatwick’s plan would shift its emergency runway 12 metres north to enable two-runway operations, lifting annual capacity from about 280,000 flights to 389,000 by the late 2030s.
Cagne and Peter Barclay said they would consider an appeal, arguing local communities still face unresolved concerns over noise, air quality, infrastructure, sewerage and emissions.
Gatwick and the Department for Transport said the scheme would bring 14,000 jobs and a £1 billion annual economic boost, framing the judgment as backing growth alongside climate commitments.