The £2.2 billion expansion project will see the existing northern runway move 12 metres north so both can operate simultaneously, facilitating 100,000 extra flights a year, 14,000 jobs, and £1bn a year for the economy.

The development will include amendments to taxiways, terminal extensions and ancillary facilities, highways and rivers; as well as temporary construction works, mitigation works and other associated development.

The application was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for consideration by Gatwick Airport Limited on 6 July 2023 and accepted for examination on 3 August 2023.  

Following an examination during which the public, statutory consultees and interested parties were given the opportunity to give evidence to the Examining Authority, recommendations were made to the Secretary of State on 27 November 2024.

This is the 60th transport application out of 163 applications examined to date and was again completed by the Planning Inspectorate within the statutory timescale laid down in the Planning Act 2008.

Lee May, a partner at DMH Stallard and a specialist in UK planning law, said: “Those opposed to the airport’s expansion now have a six-week window of opportunity to challenge the Development Consent Order in the High Court.

“The project has faced significant opposition from environmental campaigners and some local residents, with concerns being expressed around how the proposal fits in with the government’s commitment to minimising carbon emissions and the impact on local residents through noise, air pollution and additional traffic generation. So, it is possible that legal challenges will be brought.

“Given the national significance of the project, any legal challenge will be given high priority by the court, the airport operators and the government will hope for a speedy resolution.  

“But with the possibility of further appeals to the Court of Appeal and eventually to the Supreme Court it may be many months before a final decision is reached and work can get underway.”