Gatwick Airport expansion

Government approves plans for a second runway at Gatwick

Despite the Planning Inspectorate's initial opposition to a second runway at Gatwick, the Secretary of State granted consent on 21 September 2025.

In the midst of a climate crisis, it is extremely disappointing and frustrating to see the government determined to push through a second runway at Gatwick. This decision goes against the UK’s legally binding net zero targets and the expert recommendations of the Climate Change Committee, which advises ‘no net airport expansion across the UK.’ 

The Environmental Audit Committee's recent inquiry into airport expansion and climate and nature targets concluded that the government’s current approach to airport expansion could put net zero delivery in “serious jeopardy”. Read their report here (October 2025).

In June 2026, local campaigners CAGNE and GACC unfortunately lost their legal challenge against the airport expansion at the High Court. The campaigners are now considering whether to appeal.

What’s being proposed?

The proposal is for a second runway at Gatwick Airport, to be achieved by bringing the airport’s existing Northern Runway into regular use. The Northern Runway is currently limited to acting as a taxiway, only available when the Main Runway is out of use.

The stated aim is to enable more flights and increase annual passenger numbers to 75 million by the late 2030s (up from 38 million passengers in 2022).

The proposed airport expansion is classed as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP), so planning permission will be decided by a Development Consent Order (DCO). Gatwick Airport submitted an application for development consent to the Planning Inspectorate on 6 July 2023, outlining their plans, and on 3 August this application was accepted. After a lengthy 'examination' period a decision on whether to grant permission was expected on 27 February 2025. However, the decision deadline was extended to 27 October 2025.

The Planning Inspectorate's report, published on 27 February 2025, recommended the application should be refused but the Secretary of State said she was 'minded to approve' the plans later this year if certain changes were made. The applicant was asked to provide further information in response to the proposed changes, and a further period of consultation was held. The Secretary of State announced her decision to grant consent on 21 September 2025.

What does Sussex Wildlife Trust think?

Read our joint letter to the Secretary of State for Transport objecting to airport expansions: Wildlife Trusts Airport Expansion Letter to SoS for Transport

Sussex Wildlife Trust does not support the application for an additional runway at Gatwick Airport. The proposed expansion aims to enable more flights, which will increase carbon emissions. This is in direct opposition to the UK’s legally binding net zero targets and the expert recommendations of the Climate Change Committee, which advises ‘no net airport expansion across the UK.’

Female Black Darter © Bob Eade
Black Darters are being pushed out of Sussex as the climate changes. Image by Bob Eade

Climate change is one of the biggest threats to biodiversity. The decisions the UK makes now in response to the climate crisis will define our collective ability to restore nature, adapt to change and secure a positive future for both wildlife and people.

The Climate Change Committee’s Sixth Carbon Budget Report clearly states that ‘there should be no net expansion of UK airport capacity unless the sector is on track to sufficiently outperform its net emissions trajectory’. This has been echoed in their June 2023 progress report, which states there is a ‘need for a framework to manage airport capacity. There has been continued airport expansion in recent years, counter to our assessment that there should be no net airport expansion across the UK.’

Read The Wildlife Trusts' position on climate change: TWT Climate Change Position Statement


A male Redstart in song at Old Lodge - one of many summer-visiting bird species whose ranges are shifting as the climate changes.

How has Sussex Wildlife Trust been involved with the Development Consent Order process?

The Development Consent Order was accepted by the Planning Inspectorate on 3 August 2024, and all the relevant documentation is available on the Planning Inspectorate website.

We identified the key overarching concerns for biodiversity and registered as an Interested Party so that we could submit formal comments during the Development Consent Order process.

Find our more about the process of Development Consent Orders on the Planning Inspectorate website.

Previous Consultations

Gatwick Airport has previously undertaken two consultations on the proposed airport expansion, and you can read Sussex Wildlife Trust's response to those consultations here:

Autumn 2021: Sussex Wildlife Trust response to Gatwick Northern Runway Project consultation Autumn2021

Summer 2022: SWT response to Gatwick Northern Runway Proposal consultation July22


Sussex Wildlife Trust objects to Gatwick Airport expansion


Sussex Wildlife Trust objects to Gatwick Airport expansion

We are strongly against a second runway at Gatwick Airport and have registered as an Interested Party to raise our objection.

Read more
Time Δ Debug Message - Perch Runway 3.2
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