Expansion of Gatwick Airport

This House notes that Gatwick Airport is applying for a Development Consent Order to bring its emergency runway into regular use; considers that if granted this will de facto create a second runway at Gatwick without the appropriate public consultation and scrutiny required for such a major planning decision; further notes that this will lead to thousands of extra flights a year, along with more road-building to get freight and passengers to the airport; is aware that scientists have already found noise levels close to Gatwick above the recommendations by the World Health Organization and particle number concentrations in the air similar to those measured close to a highly trafficked road in central London; notes that the proposal will mean increased noise for residents close to the airport and under the flight path, alongside increased air and light pollution; recognises that expansion at Gatwick is incompatible with addressing the climate crisis; further recognises that 2022 analysis puts the estimated cost of cleaning up carbon emissions alone from Gatwick expansion at £9.1 billion, of which only 7% will be paid for by the aviation industry; urges the Government to listen to the advice of the Committee on Climate Change Chair that there should be no net airport expansion across the UK; and therefore calls on the Secretary of State for Transport to reject Gatwick Airport’s plans for a second runway.