News: BAA announce Gatwick Airport Expansion Plans
Flights > News > # 324 (30/03/2005)
The British Airports Authority (BAA) published a draft master plans to show how London Gatwick, the second busiest airport in the UK could develop in the next 10 and the next 25 years.
In a wide-ranging public consultation, the airport company is inviting comments and views from local communities, businesses, councils and MPs on the future growth of Gatwick.
The plan, a potential blueprint for the airport in 2015 and in 2030, has been developed in response to the Government's White Paper "The Future of Aviation", which has set the policy for future airport capacity across the UK, including the South East. In the White Paper, the Government said that plans should be brought forward first for a new runway at Stansted, and then for further runway development at Heathrow, providing environmental targets could be met.
It also said that land should be safeguarded at Gatwick for new runway development in case the Heathrow option could not be delivered.
After an initial legal challenge over the exlusion of additional runway options at Gatwick from the consultation, The White Paper eventually upheld the 40 year legal agreement which prevents the building of a second runway at the airport before 2019.
The master plan places a priority on setting out the scale and character of Gatwick's future growth and development as a single-runway airport, with the potential to handle around 45 million passengers a year.
However, in line with Government guidance in the White Paper, it also considers in outline a scenario for Gatwick with two runways in 25 years time.
BAA Gatwick already has support in principle to develop the airport to handle around 40 million passengers a year, through a ground- breaking legal agreement signed with West Sussex County Council and Crawley Borough Council in 2001.
This endorsed the airport's sustainable development strategy for a two terminal one-runway operation, developed within the current airport boundary. Through the agreement, BAA Gatwick promised to match growth with action to manage its environmental and social impacts, such as aircraft noise, air quality, traffic on the roads as well as employment.
Paul Griffiths, BAA Gatwick's managing director said:
"We want to plan a successful future for Gatwick that ensures travellers can take flights to an increasing range of places around the world, that provides the best in customer service, creates jobs and supports the economy – but at the same time is sensitive to the local community and takes action to manage their concerns through responsible growth.
"I value the positive partnerships we developed with local councils and local people through consultation around our sustainable development strategy – and it's an open approach that we must continue as we debate the master plan. I hope everyone, from community groups to businesses, airlines and passengers takes this opportunity to give their views on how they would like Gatwick to develop."
Consultation on the draft master plans will continue until June 30 before BAA Gatwick publishes a final version at the end of the year.
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