Following Rachel Reeves’ announcement last month that confirmed the government’s support for a third runway at Heathrow, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has today said she is ‘minded to approve’ Gatwick’s plans for a second runway.
The government received the examining authority’s report on the Gatwick Airport Development Consent Order (DCO) application 27th November last year. Under the Planning Act they were obliged to make a decision within three months (ie, by today) unless they exercise a power to extend the process by making a statement to Parliament announcing a new deadline.
This is what has happened today, with Alexander pushing it back another six months to 27th October 2025.
She said: ‘Given the examining authority’s report, for the first time, recommends an alternative DCO which includes a range of controls on the operation of the scheme and not all the provisions have been considered during the examination, I am issuing a ‘minded to approve’ decision that provides some additional time to seek views from all parties on the provisions, prior to a final decision.’
It is thought that more details need to be ironed out pertaining to noise pollution and improved public transport access to what would be a considerably busier airport.
Gatwick’s plan is to move their second runway – currently only used for taxying planes as it’s too close to the main runway – a few metres, which would allow planes to take off from it. This would enable an extra 101,000 flights each year.
In response, Transport & Environment UK commented: ‘How does the UK government expect to reach net-zero by 2050 while expanding its most heavily trafficked airports? First Heathrow, now Gatwick. This is a crucial moment for limiting growth and scaling green fuels, not pushing for yet more expansion.’
Sian Berry, Green MP for Brighton Pavilion responded: ‘The Transport Secretary is bending over backwards to pursue a disastrous decision. How does the relentless backing of the aviation industry benefit the average person rather than just airport bosses and very frequent fliers?’
Earlier this week, the transport secretary spoke at the annual dinner of trade body Airlines UK, where she said: ‘I have no intention of clipping anyone’s wings. I am not some sort of flight-shaming eco warrior. I love flying – I always have.’