Gatwick building plan put on hold

The government told Crawley council it could not grant permission

A decision on whether to allow Gatwick airport to extend its North Terminal and build a new multi-storey car park has been put on hold.

The government has told Crawley Borough Council it is considering whether to hold a public inquiry into the plans.

The council's development control committee debated the two applications on Monday and said it would otherwise be "minded to approve".

BAA Gatwick said it was pleased the council supported the extension.

The two planning applications would allow the West Sussex airport to handle an extra five million passengers a year, by 2018.

The increased noise and pollution could affect a wide area of Surrey and Sussex, not just Crawley Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign

The North Terminal extension would provide extra baggage reclaim halls and new check-in facilities and the car park 900 short-stay spaces.

Objectors include East Surrey MP Peter Ainsworth, whose constituency borders the airport, the Campaign to Protect Rural England and Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign (GACC), whose office is in Charlwood, Surrey.

GACC has been calling for a public inquiry and a "logical discussion" on how to achieve growth without damage to the environment.

"The increased noise and pollution could affect a wide area of Surrey and Sussex, not just Crawley, so we think that it is essential that there should be a proper public inquiry," said chairman Brendon Sewill.

BAA Gatwick said the applications form part of an investment programme which will see nearly £1bn invested over five years.

"The programme has been agreed with airline partners and the Civil Aviation Authority, as part of the regulatory process," it said in a statement.

"London Gatwick Airport remains committed to sustainable and balanced growth and will continue to consult widely with local authorities, business partners and passengers."

BAA has been ordered by the Competition Commission to sell Gatwick, Stansted and Edinburgh or Glasgow airports.