The Secretary of State for Transport has decided to approve Gatwick Airport’s Development Consent Order (DCO) for its Northern Runway project.  This means the Government is supporting a second operational runway, leading to a huge increase in Gatwick’s annual flight numbers and significantly increasing environmental damage from the airport’s operations.  We regard this as an irresponsible decision that waves aside climate science, environmental evidence, and the interests of local communities.  This flawed decision will lead to worse noise and air pollution, traffic congestion, rail crowding and carbon emissions.  Many individuals, the Climate Commission, GACC, CAGNE and other environmental and community groups provided extensive evidence during the DCO examination process outlining the damaging consequences of the scheme.  The decision contradicts the UK’s legally binding climate commitments under the Climate Change Act and the Paris Climate Agreement, and the conclusions of its own planning inspectorate. A legal challenge is being prepared. Read more here.