The Government has delayed a final decision on Gatwick Airport’s second runway by nine months, despite Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander saying she is “minded to approve” the £2.2bn expansion.
Officials cite the need for further scrutiny over noise pollution and public transport use before granting the go-ahead to add 100,000 extra flights per year.
Ms Alexander has extended the deadline for her ruling to 27 October, leaving Gatwick in limbo despite her recent declaration to aviation leaders that she is “not some sort of flight-shaming eco-warrior”. The postponement came as a surprise to airport executives, who had anticipated a more immediate verdict following Ms Alexander’s pro-expansion speech on Tuesday.
Under the proposed terms, Gatwick faces additional planning conditions aimed at reducing aircraft noise and raising the proportion of passengers who travel via public transport. Though the Inspectorate recommends a target of 54 per cent for public transport usage, Gatwick chief executive Stewart Wingate has argued that this lies beyond the airport’s direct control. He welcomed Ms Alexander’s support but warned that overly restrictive conditions must not jeopardise the economic viability of the scheme.
The delay underscores the Government’s challenge in balancing ambitious infrastructure growth against environmental and local concerns. Gareth Bacon, the Shadow Transport Secretary, denounced the decision as an “abject failure”, claiming that ministers have “fallen at the first hurdle” in their pledge to accelerate major developments. Meanwhile, Chris Curtis MP, chair of the Labour Growth Group, has urged the Government to address planning bottlenecks in forthcoming legislation, insisting that the lengthy process deters much-needed investment.
Labour has broadly endorsed nationwide airport expansion, including a potential third runway at Heathrow and higher capacity at Luton. However, tight planning rules and the threat of legal challenges – along with looming environmental commitments and calls for heavier taxes on flying – continue to slow progress.
In the immediate term, Gatwick has until April 24 to respond to the Planning Inspectorate’s recommendations, which focus on noise insulation funding for nearby homes and limiting the noise footprint of the proposed runway. With the project poised to nearly double Gatwick’s capacity to 80 million passengers a year, the stakes are high for local communities, businesses and the wider UK economy.