The High Court has dismissed a legal challenge against the £2.2 billion expansion of Gatwick Airport, upholding Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander's decision to approve the Northern Runway Project in September. The scheme involves moving the emergency runway 12 metres north to accommodate around 100,000 more flights annually.
Legal Challenge Dismissed
Campaigner Peter Barclay and Communities Against Gatwick Noise Emissions (Cagne) launched legal action against the Department for Transport (DfT), arguing that the Government failed to properly assess the climate impacts of the expansion. However, Mr Justice Mould ruled on Tuesday that the challenge was unfounded, stating that the Transport Secretary's conclusion that the development would not “materially impact” the UK's net zero targets was rational.
In his 100-page judgment, the judge noted that Heidi Alexander acknowledged the expansion would have moderately adverse and significant effects but did not treat that finding as determinative. He said it was “neither illogical nor contradictory” for her to approve the project despite its carbon footprint.
Arguments Rejected
The judge also rejected arguments about the necessity of expanding Gatwick given the proximity to Heathrow. He said the DfT had considered that Gatwick is primarily a leisure airport serving low-cost carriers, with passenger numbers expected to grow. The Transport Secretary “considered both the need for and the socio-economic effects of the proposed development to be important and relevant considerations,” the judge added.
Reactions to the Ruling
Cagne expressed disappointment and said it would consider an appeal. The group stated that local communities are being asked to bear the consequences of expansion without adequate funding for infrastructure, environmental protection, or noise mitigation. “It is fundamentally wrong that taxpayers should be expected to meet the costs of new runway operations while shareholders stand to profit,” a spokesperson said.
Peter Barclay said the ruling fails to address how outdated National Policy Statements should be handled, and vowed to continue challenging the decision. A London Gatwick spokesperson welcomed the ruling as “a victory for common sense,” highlighting the project's expected 14,000 new jobs and £1 billion annual economic boost.
A DfT spokesperson said the approval balances environmental commitments with economic benefits, bringing jobs and growth to the UK.
