Residents' fears over compulsory purchase letters

Gatwick has been given approval by the government to bring its second runway, currently used as back-up and for taxiing, into full-time use

Residents in parts of Surrey were "severely worried" after receiving letters they believed meant their homes would be taken over to make way for the Gatwick Airport expansion.

The letter refers to "compulsory purchase powers" and was sent to people who are "in possession of a land interest or right that might be affected" by the expansion.

But Trevor Stacey, chairman of Charlwood Parish Council, has said the letters do not mean the recipient's property is the subject of compulsory purchase.

A spokesperson for Gatwick Airport said the letters were sent out in accordance with the Planning Act 2008 after the government approved plans to bring its second runway into full-time use.

Compulsory purchase orders allow public bodies to take control of land without the consent of the owner for infrastructure, development and regeneration projects, according to the government.

Mark Davis said the situation has sent his 83-year-old mother into "panic mode".

He said: "When I came home from work she said 'why have I got to move?' So I read the letter properly and in the smaller print in there it says your house is not for consideration.

"Gatwick are under the impression that they can just walk in and and turf everybody out with a compulsory purchase order when and if they want to."

Mr Stacey told BBC Radio Surrey there was confusion as some people living in Charlwood, Surrey, had received the correspondence about the orders but others had not.

"I've had several calls from people who have been severely worried about it," he said.

He explained that the letters were sent out to notify people that there may come a time in the future when certain land needs to be purchased, but for now there was "nothing to worry about".

Most of the letters say: "Your land is not required for the construction of the project and thus is not subject to the compulsory acquisition powers granted in the order."

The BBC understands that Gatwick is not seeking to acquire land in Charlwood but it has issued the letters as it has a duty to notify residents who may be entitled to make a compensation claim if their lives are disrupted should the project go ahead.