Gatwick’s plans to expand by bringing its existing northern runway into use alongside its main runway has been accepted for detailed examination by the Planning Inspectorate.
The planning application, or Development Consent Order (DCO) submitted on July 6, sets out plans to make best use of Gatwick’s existing infrastructure “to unlock new capacity and improve the airport’s resilience”.
Crucially, the plans would allow Gatwick to grow from handling about 47 million passengers a year as it did in 2019 to 75 million by the 2030s.
More: Special Report: Is there a case for airport expansion?
The northern runway is currently only used as a taxiway.
The Planning Inspectorate’s acceptance of the application means it is satisfied the airport’s consultation was conducted properly and the application can progress to the examination phase.
A detailed examination of the proposals by a panel of experts will follow, at a date set by the Planning Inspectorate – a process which will include written submissions and public hearings and is likely to take up to 18 months.
Ahead of the examination, local communities, stakeholders and others will be able to register with the Planning Inspectorate as ‘interested parties’ to enable them to participate and provide views on the proposals.
Details on how interested parties can register will be publicised by the airport.
In a statement, Gatwick noted: “The application has been shaped by a programme of detailed assessments, including community and stakeholder engagements, and public consultations spanning nearly two years.
“A statutory public consultation took place in Autumn 2021, followed by a second public consultation in summer 2022 on revised plans for the roads around the airport.”
Gatwick chief planning officer Tim Norwood said: “We’re pleased the application to take forward our northern runway plans has been accepted by the Planning Inspectorate and will now progress to the examination stage of the planning process.
“The airport will let residents and other stakeholders know how they can register their interest in taking part in the examination stage of the process in coming weeks, so they can submit comments and feedback on our proposals.”
Gatwick claims its plans would lead to the creation of 14,000 jobs and inject £1 billion a year into the region’s economy.
The airport’s application is available on the Planning Inspectorate’s website.
The local CAGNE (Communities Against Gatwick Noise Emissions) campaign described the Planning Inspectorate’s acceptance of the application as “bad news” and called for donations “to stop this environmental disaster”.
More: Special Report: Is there a case for airport expansion?