Gatwick airport is giving people in the south east a chance to speak out on its plans for a second runway.
Sussex residents and businesses will be sent letters inviting them to have their say on the proposed project to increase UK airport capacity, as Gatwick opens a six-week public consultation starting on April 4.
The airport said the reason for consultation was to obtain views and feedback to help “refine and improve” the options.
Gatwick Airport is competing with Heathrow in a bid to build another runway in southeast England.
The public will be asked their opinions on the three options:
- A new runway 585m south of the existing runway
- A new runway 1,045m south of the existing runway
- Similar to option 2 but both runways would be used for landings and take offs
Questions within the consultation will cover a range of topics including environmental, economic and social considerations.
Stewart Wingate, CEO of London Gatwick, said: "The views of the local community are an essential element of shaping Gatwick's second runway options.
"Therefore it is important we hear from as many people as possible through our consultation so that we can consider local opinions in our refined runway proposals."
In 2012, chairman of the Airports Commission, Howard Davies, was asked to investigate the options for increasing aviation capacity in the UK.
In December he unveiled the short-listed options – new runways at Heathrow and Gatwick, and an extension of Heathrow’s existing northern runway.
A decision from the Airports Commission will be made in summer 2015.
Read an analysis of the Davies commission's interim report for UK airports