Opposing voices "united" by Gatwick response deadline, campaigners hope
Responses to the £2.2 billion proposal to bring the airport's runway into routine use from are due in from "interested parties" today
Campaigners against the expansion of Gatwick's second runway say they hope opposing voices are "united" by today's response deadline.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander invited "interested parties" to have their say after she "minded to approve" bringing the airport's emergency runway into routine use - if environmental and noise concerns were addressed.
The £2.2 billion proposal to move the runway by 12 metres would allow an extra 100,000 flights per week.
Campaign group: Noise is airport's 'Achilles heel'
Sally Pavey, from the Communities Against Gatwick Noise Emissions group, said she's expecting parties to raise concerns around noise, transport and sewage:
"Noise is Gatwick's Achilles heel and they're proposing that they go away and conduct a little consultation.
"So we hope lots of people have picked up on the fact that it's just not acceptable what Gatwick is trying to do, because there's no guarantees, there's no assurances and there will be nothing that will be legally binding that residents can hold them to.
"Gatwick must pay for their sewage that they're going to create, Gatwick must pay for the noise they're going to create, and Gatwick must pay to get people out of their cars and and onto public transport."
Airport "confident in amended proposals"
Stewart Wingate, CEO, London Gatwick said: “This project represents a £2.2billion investment, fully funded by our shareholders and it is essential that any planning conditions enable us to make full use of the Northern Runway.
"We are confident that our amended proposals will allow us to grow sustainably and meet passenger demand, while addressing the matters raised by the Secretary of State in her letter, including noise and environmental impacts.
“Growth is at the heart of the Government’s agenda and we are fully supportive of the drive to work with businesses to create good quality jobs, reignite the economy and drive innovation around the country.
"Our plans will create 14,000 jobs and generate £1billion a year in economic benefits.
By increasing resilience and capacity, we can also support the UK’s position as a leader in global connectivity and deliver substantial trade and economic growth in the South East and beyond.
“We look forward to receiving the Secretary of State’s final decision later this year."
A final decision's expected on the 27th of October.