Transport secretary Heidi Alexander is “minded to approve” the expansion provided that measures to scale back noise are put in place.
The second runway would permit Gatwick to virtually double its capability to round 75 million passengers by the late 2030s, with visitors reaching 80 million by 2047. The £2.2bn enlargement can be funded via non-public funding.
“I’m issuing a minded to approve choice that gives some further time to hunt views from all events on the provisions, previous to a closing choice,” she mentioned on Tuesday.
These relate to points such because the proportion of passengers who journey to and from the airport by public transport, and noise mitigation.
The Planning Inspectorate rejected Gatwick’s preliminary improvement consent order (DCO) software, a Authorities supply instructed the PA information company.
It’s the first time the physique has really useful another plan when assessing a challenge.
Gatwick has till April 24 to answer the brand new proposals.
Ms Alexander is predicted to make a closing choice shortly after this, though her deadline has been prolonged to October 27.
Gatwick has welcomed the choice however the transfer has been opposed by native campaigners in addition to the Inexperienced Occasion.
The Authorities has mentioned that sustainable aviation gasoline means airport enlargements don’t derail internet zero targets, and as such it has additionally backed a brand new runway at Gatwick’s larger rival, Heathrow.
Ms Alexander will need to make sure the Gatwick enlargement challenge is watertight, because it may face a authorized problem as soon as given a proper greenlight, given opposition from native communities and environmental teams.
Siân Berry, Inexperienced MP for Brighton Pavilion, mentioned: “Solely sooner or later after receiving essential recommendation from its personal local weather advisors on the necessity to decrease flying demand, ministers determine to assist but extra pointless enlargement for the good thing about rich buyers.”
Right here is how Gatwick’s second runway may look.
Gatwick’s second runway map
The proposed transfer for the Northern Runway at Gatwick Airport
PA / Google Earth / Gatwick Airport
Gatwick’s privately financed challenge would see it transfer the emergency runway 12 metres north, enabling it for use for departures of narrow-bodied planes, reminiscent of Airbus A320s and Boeing 737s.
This is able to allow it for use for round 100,000 extra flights a 12 months.
Gatwick’s plan additionally entails remodelling and changing current taxiways – which join runways to terminals, hangars and different amenities – extending each terminals, and putting in plane gates.
The airport says its scheme is “shovel prepared”.
It hopes the upgraded runway can be operational by the top of the last decade.
Gatwick says its plans would create £1bn per 12 months in financial advantages, and generate an extra 14,000 jobs.
