Gatwick Airport Expansion to Proceed After Appeal Bid Dismissed
High Court ruling upholds plans for emergency runway relocation and increased flight capacity despite climate impact concerns.
Image: Eddie Pollard / AI
Sarah Connor
Gatwick Airport's expansion plans will proceed after campaigners lost a bid to appeal a High Court decision.
Lord Justice Holgate and Lord Justice Dove delivered a decisive blow to the opposition, declaring, "We conclude that each of the grounds of appeal raised by each appellant is unarguable. Neither appeal has a real prospect of success. We also consider that there are no other compelling reasons for either appeal to be heard."
Peter Barclay and the campaign group Communities Against Gatwick Noise Emissions (Cagne) had launched legal action against the Department for Transport, challenging the decision to approve the expansion plans.
Cagne asserted the Government failed to properly assess the scheme's climate impact, further claiming the judge's initial ruling was incorrect.
The expansion marks a major milestone for Gatwick and its local communities, unlocking critical investment and creating thousands of new jobs.
Heidi Alexander confirmed the expansion marks a major milestone for Gatwick and its local communities, unlocking critical investment and creating thousands of new jobs.
Alexander also stated that around 13 million more passengers and 100,000 more flights will offer holidaymakers greater choice and strengthen global links.
The expansion supports both growth and climate goals, Alexander further asserted. Over £219m is being invested in green fuel production to cut emissions and secure aviation's future.