London Gatwick airport’s proposal to bring its second runway into routine use has cleared its first hurdle after being accepted for “detailed examination” by the UK’s Planning Inspectorate.
The airport last month submitted plans to be able to use its Northern Runway, which currently operates as a taxiway, for flights alongside Gatwick’s main runway. This move would allow the airport to eventually increase annual capacity up to 75 million passengers.
The Planning Inspectorate has now decided that Gatwick’s application, known as a Development Consent Order, can now undergo a period of “detailed scrutiny”, which is expected to take 18 months and will include written submissions and public hearings.
Local residents and other members of the public will also get to have their say on Gatwick’s plans by registering as “interested parties”.
Tim Norwood, Gatwick’s chief planning officer, said: “We are pleased that the application to take forward our Northern Runway plans has been accepted by the Planning Inspectorate and will now progress to the examination stage of the DCO planning process.
“In coming weeks, the airport will let residents and other stakeholders know how they can register their interest in taking part in the examination stage of the planning process, so they can submit comments and feedback on our important proposals."