Gatwick claims “flawed” environmental analysis by the Airports Commission sheds doubt over its decision to recommend a third runway at Heathrow.
Key environmental mitigation measures proposed for Heathrow expansion are “effectively meaningless”, according to the rival airport.
Unless the deficiencies are corrected the measures cannot be relied on to overcome the legal risks associated with expanding the airport – according to ten pages of evidence given to the Environmental Audit Committee published by Gatwick.
The committee is investigating the potential environmental impact of Heathrow expansion.
The key measures include proposals to ban scheduled night flights, introduce a noise envelope, provide predictable noise respite, and that expansion is contingent on acceptable performance on air quality.
Gatwick’s Airports Commission director, Alastair McDermid (pictured), said: “The flaws in the Airports Commission’s final report are fundamental and I urge the committee to look closely at the evidence before it.
“Without correcting these gaps and deficiencies government will struggle to reach a balanced and responsible decision on which airport to expand.
“As they stand, the key Airports Commission’s proposals to reduce the noise and air quality impacts of Heathrow expansion will not provide acceptable mitigation and I would be surprised if they withstood legal scrutiny.”