Representation by David Carwardine
- Date submitted
- 19 October 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
This application does not comply with the Airports National Policy Statement requiring airports (other than Heathrow) to demonstrate sufficient need to justify their expansion proposals, additional to (or different from) the need which would be met by the provision of a Northwest Runway at Heathrow. This expansion at Gatwick (and associated construction works / road traffic) would have a material impact on the UK’s ability to meet its carbon reduction targets and undermine climate change. The pollution impacts on air quality and on noise for residents already affected by Gatwick air traffic. The noise envelope Gatwick has proposed are not consistent with government policy and CAA guidance and are wholly one-sided. They should be substantially revised even for current flight volumes. A ban on night flights should be a condition of any expansion at Gatwick. The airport should also be required to set out a comprehensive package of measures to incentivise the use of the quietest aircraft at night outside the hours of a ban. The economic benefits of expanding Gatwick have been overstated by the Gatwick Airport Ltd. Significant economic, social and environmental costs have been ignored and/or understated. The economic conclusion on airport expansion was that expansion at Heathrow had the best case, this continues to be true.