Gatwick Airport warns government over homes purchase plan
Gatwick Airport has warned the government that its plans to build an extra runway could be unaffordable if it is forced to purchase up to 4,400 homes set to be impacted by aeroplane noise.
The airport has outlined a noise reduction scheme for local residents as part of its expansion plans, but it could be forced to offer relocation costs if that is rejected by local planners.
A community action group which is against the project has told the BBC that the airport should have set money aside to buy the properties.
The airport said it has set out a "a strong and compelling case" in mitigating the impact on air quality, noise and emissions.
Gatwick's owners have sent a letter to Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander arguing that the homes purchase measure is unfair.
It said: "The requirement as drafted is a gross departure from national noise policy and, if imposed, would severely bring into question whether the project could be investible or financeable."
Liz Lockwood, an independent councillor at Tandridge District Council and a campaigner at the Communities Against Gatwick Noise and Emissions action group, said: "I don't feel sorry for Gatwick in this regard at all.
"I think it's more than reasonable to expect them to put their hands in in their own pockets to pay for the consequences of their own application."
Aircraft noise expert Ed Clarke told the BBC: "It could well be that the local planning authority could put Gatwick in a position that is incredibly expensive by having to buy a load of properties within an area that is not really exposed to very high levels of aircraft noise."
However, the acoustic consultant says it is unlikely Gatwick will be forced to buy thousands of properties, and that only a "modest" number of homes will be eligible.
Gatwick is proposing a far cheaper scheme to fund up to £26,000 worth of replacement glazing and noise insulation per home within a 23-mile strip of land stretching between West Sussex, Surrey and Kent.
Non-residential buildings could receive up to a quarter of a million pounds worth of works.
The airport said in a statement: "We have put forward a strong and compelling case – carefully mitigating impacts on air quality, noise and emissions.
"For example, our proposed noise insulation scheme exceeds UK airport standards and the requirements of government policy."
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: "As this is a live application that will be determined by the Department, it would not be appropriate to comment."
The government has until 27 February to reveal its decision about Gatwick Airport's planning application.
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Manchester Airport: Runways reopen after fresh snow grounds planes
Manchester Airport's runways have reopened after a fresh deluge of snow had to be cleared - but the disruption has caused delays to some flights.
The temporary closure took place to allow snow plough teams to move the snow as "quickly as possible" earlier, the airport said.
It comes after yet more heavy snowfall across Greater Manchester and the wider region, with a yellow weather warning in place across the north-west of England.
Several schools across the region have also closed as a result.
In a statement issued at about 10:00 GMT, the airport warned the closure would have a knock-on effect, with both departures and arrivals potentially hit.
Passengers have been urged to check with their airline for the latest flight information and allow extra time for travel.
Meanwhile, there are severe delays on Metrolink trams to the airport alongside heavy congestion on the roads.
It is the latest in a series of runway closures at the airport in the past week, as 2025 began with a barrage of wintry conditions.
The safety of passengers was the airport's "top priority", the airport spokesperson said.
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Extra night flights at Birmingham Airport approved
Extra night flights to and from Birmingham Airport have been approved.
Councillors in Solihull, where the airport is based, agreed to increase the number of night flights leaving the airport at a meeting on Wednesday.
Changes to the existing agreement will see an increase from 5% to 7.3% in the proportion of flights allowed to arrive or leave between 23:30 and 06:00 GMT.
The airport previously argued increased night flying is necessary to continue its growth and deliver benefits to the region's economy but some Warwickshire councillors have expressed anger at not being consulted about the plans.
It is thought an average of 21 flights a night will now arrive or depart from the airport.
In October, the airport announced that it had applied for permission to increase the number of flights taking place at night due its aim to handle 18 million passengers a year by 2033.
A spokeswoman said the airport would not breach its current limit of 5,171 night flights per year.
Councillors in North Warwickshire, which covers towns such as Kingsbury and Atherstone, about 16kim (10miles) from the airport, said they were "appalled" they were not consulted.
Mark Simpson, ward councillor for Fillongley, said the Airport Consultative Committee - a panel which includes representatives of councils - was engaged but added the the matter was "far too important" to not have direct and meaningful consultations with neighbouring councils.
"I would have thought this would be something any reasonable neighbouring authority would have consulted with us on," he said.
Peter Fowler of Coleshill North added: "If it had been in reverse, Solihull would have been just as annoyed as we are at not being consulted.
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