Campaigners win date for legal challenge against Gatwick expansion

Local anti-airport expansion campaigners have been handed a date for a High Court legal challenge against plans to bring a second runway into use at Gatwick.

A four-day hearing is to start of January 20 following a claim for a judicial review led by Communities against Gatwick Noise Emissions (Cagne).

The group is opposed to a £2,2 billion privately-funded scheme to bring the airport’s standby runway into full use by moving it 12 metres to allow for more flights. 

It filed a legal challenge claiming the impact of the expansion on climate change has not been properly assessed and development consent should be not have been granted as a result.

Transport secretary Heidi Alexander backed Gatwick’s move to bring the secondary runway into full use in September. The plan would pave the way for up to 100,000 extra flights.

However, Cagne went to court for a procedural hearing on Tuesday and the January 20 court date was set for the legal challenge to be heard.

Cagne chair Sally Pavey said the organisation was now preparing its case.

She said: “We now prepare for the hearing in the strong belief that this [is a] new runway. And let’s be clear, it is a new runway by the back door [and], should be stopped at all costs

“Gatwick is in the business of exporting sterling out of the UK for leisure, bringing little to the UK to meet the burden it presents to local authorities and environment.”

A Gatwick spokesperson said: “We are aware that a claim for judicial review has been lodged in the High Court against the decision of the secretary of state for transport to approve our northern runway project.

“We intend to participate in the proceedings as an interested party. 

"However, while legal proceedings are in progress it would not be appropriate to comment any further."