Gatwick Airport makes changes to runway plans

Changes have been made to plans to bring the northern runway at Gatwick Airport into routine use

Gatwick Airport has opened a public consultation after making changes to its plans to bring its emergency runway into routine use.

The West Sussex airport says it has made the three changes to the proposal to reduce environmental impact and provide design flexibility.

The airport has asked the public, landowners and stakeholders for their views before it requests to amend its application to the planning inspectorate.

A local campaign group says the fact Gatwick is going to "cherry pick" who it consults is "unacceptable as the ramifications will be significant".

The northern runway is currently used as a taxiway or when the main runway is closed.

Previously, the airport said the added capacity at the airport would inject about £1bn into the region's economy every year by increasing tourism, trade and other business opportunities.

The changes to the proposal are:

• A more sustainable solution for water treatment

• A change in the design of the international departure lounge in the north terminal, including demolishing the passenger lounge, to meet future retail and catering needs

• Food waste to sorted on site and then taken to dedicated waste processing centre(s) off-site

Tim Norwood, chief planning officer, said engagement with the public and stakeholders has been "invaluable" in helping shape plans, and that feedback is welcomed.

The planning inspectorate will decide if changes can be made to the application.

Gatwick said expansion plans would create around 14,000 jobs and inject £1bn into the region’s economy annually

Communities Against Gatwick Noise and Emissions (CAGNE) said: "What is planned could see a vast increase in lorry movements with a waste sorting plant.

CAGNE said it has requested they be permitted to be party to the consultation but as yet airport management "have not responded favourably".

Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign said the changes "are fairly minor and contribute no mitigation to the overall negative impact of Gatwick’s plans".

The consultation will close on 21 January 2024.