|
UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has ‘set out a path to approving’ Gatwick airport’s expansion project, a government source has said. This comes after the Planning Inspectorate initially rejected the West Sussex airport’s application to bring its emergency runway into routine use. The Planning Inspectorate then recommended Alexander should give the project the go-ahead if adjustments are made on issues such as the proportion of passengers who travel to and from the airport by public transport, and noise mitigation. It is understood to be the first time the body has recommended an alternative plan when assessing a project. Gatwick has until April 24 to respond to the new proposals, shortly after which Alexander is expected to make a final decision. A government source told the PA news agency: ‘The transport secretary has set out a path to approving the expansion of Gatwick today following the Planning Inspectorate’s recommendation to refuse the original application. ‘This is an important step forward and demonstrates that this government will stop at nothing to deliver economic growth and new infrastructure as part of our Plan for Change. ‘Expansion will bring huge benefits for business and represents a victory for holidaymakers. We want to deliver this opportunity in line with our legal, environmental and climate obligations. ‘We look forward to Gatwick’s response as they have indicated planes could take off from a new runway before the end of this Parliament.’ Gatwick’s £2.2 billion privately financed project would see it move the emergency runway 12 metres north, enabling it to be used for departures of narrow-bodied planes such as Airbus A320s and Boeing 737s. By Neil Lancefield, PA Transport Correspondent source: PA Copyright 2025 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
|
