On Thursday 6 July Gatwick Airport submitted its Development Consent Order (DCO) application for its “Northern Runway Project” to the Planning Inspectorate (PINS). These proposals would, following construction work, eventually bring the Northern Runway into routine use and substantially increase the capacity of the Airport.
Jeremy Quin (MP for Horsham), alongside other neighbouring MPs wrote to Gatwick last month to ask them to delay their submission until further detailed analysis had been provided by Gatwick to the local Councils. This follows a request from the Councils themselves who need to ensure that they are in a position to understand fully the implications of the proposals to be able to respond.
Councils had expressed deep concern that they have had insufficient detailed information and time to fully consider the infrastructure and environmental implications of the proposed expansion.
Jeremy Quin said:
“It is incredibly important that before any expansion is permitted to take place, we are able to consider fully its impact on the local environment, residents and infrastructure.
“Local residents and the Councils that represent them must have complete confidence in all aspects of Gatwick’s engagement with consultations and the DCO process.
“More flights and substantially more passengers would have a significant impact. It is absolutely critical that at every stage Gatwick remains open to full engagement and accepts that their plans need to go through intense and effective scrutiny. We will continue to engage alongside our local councils in this vital process.”
In a joint statement Jeremy Quin (MP for Horsham) and Mims Davies (MP for Mid Sussex) called on Gatwick to ensure that they engage “fully and openly” with the process at every stage:
“Gatwick’s Plans, if approved, would have a significant impact on our Region for decades to come. The potential employment and economic benefits can only be considered fully alongside the implications for the environment, residents living close to the airport and under its flight paths and wider infrastructure. It is of vital importance that Gatwick engages fully and collaboratively with all local stakeholders throughout the DCO process.”
