Campaigners lose High Court Gatwick challenges

Campaigners have lost High Court challenges over the expansion of Gatwick Airport.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander approved the £2.2 billion scheme in September, which would have seen the West Sussex site move its emergency runway 12 metres north to accommodate around 100,000 more flights a year.

Campaigner Peter Barclay and Communities Against Gatwick Noise Emissions (CAGNE) took legal action against the Department for Transport (DfT), telling a January hearing it was unlawful as the Government did not properly assess the climate impacts of the expansion. 

The DfT and the airport owner Gatwick Airport Limited defended the challenge, with lawyers for the site claiming it was “unarguable”. 

And in a ruling today (Tuesday, June 23), Mr Justice Mould dismissed Mr Barclay and CAGNE’s bids. 

CAGNE says it is considering an appeal.

He said: “The Secretary of State for Transport does not resile from her finding that the proposed development will not fully contribute to the UK’s trajectory towards net-zero. 

“On the contrary, that significant effect leads her to place moderate adverse weight against the making of the development consent order. 

“She does not, however, treat that finding as determinative of her judgment.” 

Mr Justice Mould concluded it was “neither illogical nor contradictory” for Mrs Alexander to not refuse the proposed development “on the basis it would have a material impact on the ability of Government to meet its carbon reduction targets”. 

The judge also rejected an argument about the need for the expansion at Gatwick, given the proximity to Heathrow. 

In a statement, CAGNE said it would not accept the judgment “as the final word”.

It said: “Our legal team will now consider an appeal, and we will continue to stand up for the communities who will be forced to live with the consequences of this expansion.

“Communities across Sussex, Surrey and Kent helped fund this legal action because they have grave and legitimate concerns about the proposed expansion.”

A London Gatwick spokesperson said: “Our exciting plans will deliver significant business, tourism and trade benefits for the UK, including 14,000 new jobs and a £1 billion boost to the economy every year. 

“This is a victory for common sense.”

A DfT spokesperson added: “This project balances our environmental and climate commitments with huge economic benefits.”

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