Gatwick responds to the legal challenges against Gatwick Airport’s northern runway project.
A London Gatwick spokesperson said: “We are pleased with today’s High Court ruling to uphold the Government’s careful decision to grant planning approval for our Northern Runway Project. Our exciting plans will deliver significant business, tourism and trade benefits for the UK, including 14,000 new jobs and a £1bn boost to the economy every year. This is a victory for common sense. We now look forward to turning our plans into reality and will announce further details in due course.”
High Court judge Mould J dismissed challenges by Peter Barclay and Communities Against Gatwick Noise Emissions (CAGNE) to the 2025 development consent order for Gatwick Airport’s northern runway project.
The scheme would replace the existing standby runway with a full operational runway, lifting capacity by about 13 million passengers a year to 80 million by 2047. Although Gatwick’s original proposal was recommended for refusal, the Examining Authority suggested approving a revised version with stricter environmental controls, a first in DCO practice.
The claims raised issues including climate change, noise, environmental impact assessment and wastewater, but all were rejected.
Claimants have seven days to seek permission to appeal. Counsel for CAGNE included Estelle Dehon KC, Ruchi Parekh, Lois Lane and Odette Chalaby, instructed by Leigh Day.
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