Divided opinion over possible expansion of UK's second-biggest airport

The UK Transport Secretary is set to decide whether to approve an expansion at Gatwick Airport, Britain's second-largest airport. 

The proposal involves bringing its existing emergency runway into regular use, a move that could significantly increase passenger capacity. While some see economic benefits, others have raised concerns about environmental and noise impacts.

Gatwick Airport, which has operated since 1958, currently serves over 40 million passengers per year, making it Europe's busiest single-runway airport. If approved, the expansion could increase capacity to approximately 75 million passengers annually by the late 2030s.

Supporters argue that the expansion would contribute to economic growth, with estimates suggesting it could create up to 35,000 new jobs and generate an additional $2.5 billion for the economy each year. However, some local residents and environmental campaigners worry about the impact of increased air traffic on local communities and climate targets.

"You have to understand that Gatwick is 24/7, so it flies over at night-time," said Sally Pavey, Chair of local pressure group Communities Against Gatwick Noise Emissions. 

"For the people trying to sleep, that is really not good news, especially as Gatwick is quiet in the winter and busy in the summer, so when people want to sit in their gardens, when people want to have the windows open… they have noise like that going over their houses."

Noise and pollution vs jobs and economy

Peter Barclay, Chairperson of the Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign, also raised concerns about the noise.

"You certainly feel the vibration," he said. "A number of people will tell you about their front door rattling, their windows rattling, and it's not necessarily immediately by the runway. I know people who live about a mile and a half further out."

Barclay also cited environmental concerns: "The carbon emission impact is absolutely critical. Reaching net zero will be more difficult if Gatwick expands."

Some business leaders support the expansion, citing potential benefits for local industries. Darren Greenaway, owner of Greenaway Residential, sees opportunities for growth.

"From the estate agency point of view, obviously more people would be moving into the area. There is a lot of proposed development around Crawley and the South East. So from a business perspective, it's positive," Greenaway noted. 

"There are concerns about infrastructure, including road access, but many businesses are in favor."

Local MPs have called for further assessments on noise and environmental impact before a final decision is made. However, with the government already backing Heathrow's expansion and ongoing discussions about economic growth, many believe Gatwick's expansion is likely to be approved.