Campaigners Launch Legal Challenge Over Gatwick’s Second Runway Plans

A legal challenge has been launched against the government’s decision to approve Gatwick Airport’s second runway, with campaigners arguing officials failed to properly assess the project’s environmental impact.

The group Communities Against Gatwick Noise Emissions (CAGNE) has filed a judicial review at the High Court, claiming the government acted unlawfully when granting approval for the multi-billion-pound expansion earlier this year.

Environmental concerns at the heart of the case

CAGNE’s legal team alleges there was an “unlawful failure to weigh noise harms”, along with an “unlawful requirement concerning wastewater treatment” in the decision-making process.

They also claim the project’s environmental assessment did not fully account for the impact of emissions from inbound flights, and that it relied too heavily on the government’s “Jet Zero” strategy, which they argue assumes unrealistic advances in aviation technology and is “itself unlawful”.

CAGNE chair Sally Pavey said the proposed expansion would bring “significant increases in noise and more pressure on our sewage system, whilst increasing global warming.”

What the expansion involves

The £2.2 billion privately financed project would effectively bring Gatwick’s existing northern runway into regular use, alongside major terminal extensions and infrastructure improvements.

Gatwick says the expansion could allow for over 100,000 extra flights per year by the late 2030s, with passenger numbers potentially rising to 80 million annually.

The airport, which is Europe’s busiest single-runway hub, currently handles around 40 million passengers each year.

Government and airport responses

The Department for Transport said it could not comment while legal proceedings were ongoing.

A Gatwick Airport spokesperson confirmed the company intends to participate in the case as an interested party, adding that it would not be appropriate to comment further until the matter is resolved.

Support for the legal challenge

The Campaign to Protect Rural England’s Sussex branch has expressed support for CAGNE’s legal action.

Julia Eriksen, a solicitor at law firm Leigh Day, which represents the group, said campaigners believe the government’s approval was granted “despite a number of flaws” in the planning process.

Gatwick’s expansion follows other major aviation projects gaining approval in recent months, including a new terminal and taxiways at London Luton Airport, while the government continues to back proposals for a third runway at Heathrow.