Wed, 15 Oct 2025

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 Legal challenge begins against Gatwick expansion

Campaign group CAGNE wants to stop the construction of a second operating runway at London Gatwick.
Campaign group Communities Against Gatwick Noise Emissions (CAGNE) has launched a legal challenge against the government's decision to approve the expansion of Gatwick Airport, arguing that the planning process was flawed and failed to properly assess the impact on greenhouse gas emissions, noise pollution, and air quality. The group claims that the construction of a second operating runway will result in increased low-cost flights, which will export sterling from the UK economy and put an unsustainable burden on inadequate infrastructure. They are urging Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander to overturn her decision to approve the project, which is estimated to cost £2.2bn and involve moving the current backup runway into use alongside other developments such as expanding the terminals. The group's chair, Sally Pavey, said that the decision makes no economic or ethical sense and must be challenged through the legal process. In contrast, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has described the expansion as creating "thousands of jobs and billions in investment", while a government source has referred to it as a "no-brainer" for economic growth.
  >>