"Missed opportunities" in Gatwick expansion, campaigners say
The £2.2 billion plans to bring the airport's second runway into routine use have been approved
Campaigners say a £2.2 billion pound expansion of Gatwick Airport "missed opportunities." The plans were approved on Sunday - more than a month sooner than expected - after being "minded for approval" earlier this year.
The rework included noise mitigation for homeowners beneath the new flight path, including waived costs for triple glazing and stamp duty paid for those who move home over the disruption.
But Sally Pavey, from the Campaign Against Gatwick Noise Emissions, told us the plans could have considered more:
"This is 2.2 billion that pays for a new runway and a piece of tarmac outside the front door of the airport.
"During those hearings, we secured that Gatwick would have an on-site wastewater treatment pump.
"That's £40 million investment by Gatwick Airport.
"That's not happening now.
"The Secretary of State could have demanded that happened because the sewerage is overflowing and we've got Thames Water as the supplier.
"So add the thousands of luxury homes that are being built in this area as well.
"You know that this is such a missed opportunity."
"Vicious cocktail"
She continued that more investment is needed in local infrastructure: "We're seeing £10 million from Gatwick to go towards the £900 million plus bill to improve the railway line.
"Who is going to invest in that?
"And when you're talking about seasonal operations... where's the investment?
"This was a real opportunity for government to put in caveats to make it viable as in sustainable expansion.
"All the government are doing is recreating the the vicious cocktail Heathrow suffers today."
The plans are hoped to boost the economy by £1 billion, and create 14,000 jobs locally.
A Government source told the PA news agency: "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."