Published: Wednesday, 5th March 2025
Sevenoaks District Council has raised concerns about Government support for an additional runway at Gatwick Airport.
On Thursday 27 February 2025, the Secretary of State for Transport stated she is ‘minded to approve’ a modified permission for a second runway at the airport. This after Government planning inspectors recommended that the original expansion proposals should not be granted.
The Council responded to a Government consultation about the possible expansion of the airport in March 2024. Since then, many of the Council’s concerns have not been addressed.
Overall, the Council recognised the expansion could have both positive and negative impacts for its communities.
The Council stated it is supportive of the project in principle, particularly in relation to the significant economic benefits the expansion will bring to the local tourism industry.
However, it remained concerned about the significant negative social and environmental impacts that its communities living in the south of the District would have to endure.
The Council insisted these negative impacts should be mitigated properly to ensure its communities’ health, wellbeing and quality of life is not adversely affected in the long term.
The Council also wanted clarity on the deliverability of the airport’s stated net zero ambitions and, linked to this, requested further consideration be given to the wider infrastructure needs generated by the airport expansion, in particular road and rail.
Cllr Julia Thornton, Sevenoaks District Council’s Cabinet Member for Development & Conservation, says: “Whilst it is encouraging that the Government recognised the pitfalls in Gatwick’s expansion proposal, the modified permission still leaves many unanswered questions.
“We are yet to see the airport’s plans to mitigate the noise that could impact thousands of residents who live in the south of the District from Leigh, Chiddingstone and Penshurst through to Hever and Edenbridge.
“We have concerns the expansion would impact the District’s transport network. It is anticipated the proposal would result in a 40% increase in passengers driving to Gatwick Airport resulting in additional traffic on the M25, M26, A21 and A25, particularly during peak hours. We have been clear that the direct rail service between Tonbridge and Gatwick Airport should be reinstated before any airport expansion.
“We are also yet to hear how the airport will meet its net zero ambitions.
“We will robustly raise our concerns again with the Government when we have another opportunity to comment on the modified proposals.”
- More articles in the news archive
- Sevenoaks District Council news RSS feed