Campaigners consider appeal after Gatwick bids fail

Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Gatwick said it was a "victory for common sense" but campaigners intend to appeal By Theo Leggett , International Business Correspondent  and  Tanya Gupta , South East Published 23 June 2026, 14:24 BST Updated 47 minutes ago Campaigners opposing Gatwick Airport expansion have lost two High Court challenges against the government but have said they will consider an appeal . Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander approved a £2.2bn plan in September to move Gatwick's emergency runway 12 metres north, allowing a two-runway operation. The anti-noise group Cagne and campaigner Peter Barclay told a hearing in January the scheme was unlawful, claiming the government had not properly assessed climate impact. Ruling earlier, Mr Justice Mould dismissed both bids, concluding the scheme would not "materially impact" the government's ability to meet net zero targets - a decision London Gatwick called a "victory for common sense". The Department for Transport (DfT) and the airport's owner, Gatwick Airport Limited, had defended the challenge, with lawyers for the site claiming it was "unarguable". The scheme is expected to increase Gatwick's capacity from about 280,000 flights a year currently, to 389,000 by the late 2030s. 'Huge economic benefits' In a 100-page judgment, the judge also rejected an argument against the need for expansion at the airport, given its proximity to Heathrow, which is about 40 miles (64 km) away via the M25. The judge said the DfT had considered the West Sussex airport primarily a leisure airport, largely served by low-cost carriers, with passenger numbers expected to grow. Mr Justice Mould said Alexander had "considered both the need for and the socio-economic effects of the proposed development to be important". He added: "Her conclusions are rational and supported by proper, adequate and intelligible reasons." Image source, Julia Gregory/BBC Image caption, Sally Pavey, from Cagne, previously said plans were "not making best use of existing runways" After the ruling, Cagne (Communities Against Gatwick Noise Emissions), said it would not accept the judgment "as the final word". The group said its legal team would consider an appeal, adding that it would continue to "stand up for the communities who will be forced to live with the consequences of this expansion". Campaigners said communities across Kent, Surrey and Sussex had helped fund the legal action because they had "grave and legitimate" concerns, including funding for infrastructure, sewerage treatment, noise, air quality and emissions. Sally Pavey, from Cagne, had previously said the plans were " not making best use of existing runways ". Image source, Chrissie Reidy/BBC Image caption, Barclay said the decision went against advice Barclay, chairman of the Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign, said the independent Climate Change Committee and the Parliamentary Environmental Audit Committee had recommended against airport expansion, addin