Gatwick Airport second runway map as government presses for go-ahead

The airport wants to move its northern run-off strip, which is only used for taxiing or as a back-up, by 12 metres to create an additional take-off and landing spot to create more flights and jobs. Transport secretary Heidi Alexander is "minded to approve" the expansion on condition that measures to reduce noise are put in place.

The second runway would allow Gatwick to almost double its capacity to around 75 million passengers by the late 2030s, with traffic reaching 80 million by 2047. The £2.2bn expansion will be funded through private investment. Ms Alexander extended the deadline for a final decision by nine months to October 27 after a report from planning inspectors flagged up major concerns about the impact on local traffic, noise and air quality.

"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," she said on Tuesday. These relate to issues such as the proportion of passengers who travel to and from the airport by public transport, and noise mitigation.

The Planning Inspectorate rejected Gatwick's initial development consent order (DCO) application, a Government source told the PA news agency. It is 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.

Ms Alexander is expected to make a final decision shortly after this, although her deadline has been extended to October 27. Gatwick has welcomed the decision but the move has been opposed by local campaigners as well as the Green Party. The Government has said that sustainable aviation fuel means airport enlargements do not derail net zero targets, and as such it has also backed a new runway at Gatwick's bigger rival, Heathrow.

Ms Alexander will want to ensure the Gatwick expansion project is watertight, as it could face a legal challenge once given a formal greenlight, given opposition from local communities and environmental groups. Siân Berry, Green MP for Brighton Pavilion, said: “Only one day after receiving critical advice from its own climate advisors on the need to lower flying demand, ministers decide to support yet more unnecessary expansion for the benefit of wealthy investors.”.

Here is how Gatwick’s second runway could look. Gatwick's 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. This would enable it to be used for around 100,000 more flights a year.

Gatwick's plan also involves remodelling and replacing existing taxiways – which connect runways to terminals, hangars and other facilities – extending both terminals, and installing aircraft gates. The airport says its scheme is "shovel ready". It hopes the upgraded runway will be operational by the end of the decade.