That would mean at least 90,000 extra flights a year, an eye watering 50 million passengers on the roads and inward migration of an estimated 12,000 workers.

This would devastate the wildlife, biodiversity, landscapes and character of Sussex.

How YOU can make a difference:

The Gatwick Master Plan consultation document includes nine questions. We urge you to take the time to respond online or by post as soon as possible.

You can respond to the survey online. Open the online consultation in a new page by opening this link. 

You can also respond by mail by downloading the consultation document below. The questions can be found on Page 11.

We have added some suggested responses (in red) to help you.

Gatwick Airport Master Plan Questions:

QUESTION 1

Given the above, to what extent, if at all, do you support or oppose the principle of growing Gatwick by making best use of the existing runways in line with Government policy? Before answering, you will find it useful to read Chapters 4 and 5 in the full version of the draft master plan.

Strongly support / tend to support / neither support nor oppose /tend to oppose / strongly oppose / don’t know

CPRE Sussex suggestion: Strongly oppose

Please explain why you hold this view.

CPRE Sussex suggests that you write your own account, highlighting the true environmental impacts of such a vast increase in air and road traffic. You could mention the increase in air, light and noise pollution, the potential damage to wildlife habitats caused by noise and light pollution and by fractures in habitat corridors. You could also highlight an undeniable lack of capacity on the railway.

QUESTION 2

Given the draft master plan looks out beyond 2030, to what extent, if at all, do you agree or disagree that land that has been safeguarded since 2006 should continue to be safeguarded for the future construction of an additional main runway? Before answering, you will find it useful to read Section 5.4 in the full version of the draft master plan.

Strongly agree / tend to agree / neither agree nor disagree / tend to disagree / strongly disagree / don’t know

CPRE Sussex suggestion: Strongly disagree

Please explain why you hold this view.

CPRE Sussex suggests that you object to safeguarding this land because you do not think there should be an additional runway. CPRE Sussex suggests that you write your own account highlighting the loss of countryside, loss of wildlife habitats, loss of wildlife corridors and the unacceptable and unjustified increase in noise, air and light pollution. This scale of expansion would also impact on the county’s Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the National Park.

QUESTION 3

What more, if anything, do you believe should be done to maximise the employment and economic benefits resulting from Gatwick’s continued growth? Before answering, you will find it useful to read Section 5.6 and Chapter 7 in the full version of the draft master plan.

CPRE Sussex suggests that you write your own account highlighting that Gatwick is in an area of low unemployment so staff would need to be imported. This would necessitate an increase in green field housing developments and more cars on the roads - so vastly increasing the environmental impact of the proposal.

QUESTION 4

What more, if anything, do you think should be done to minimise the noise impacts of Gatwick’s continued growth? Before answering, you will find it useful to read Sections 4.5, 5.5, 6.4 and 6.5 in the full version of the draft master plan.

CPRE Sussex suggests that you write your own response highlighting the impact noise pollution has on the countryside. You could also point out the damage it can do to human health and wellbeing – not just by its volume but also by its frequency.

QUESTION 5

What more, if anything, do you think should be done to minimise the other environmental impacts of Gatwick’s continued growth? Before answering, you will find it useful to read Sections 4.5, 5.5 and Chapter 6 in the full version of the draft master plan.

CPRE Sussex suggests you write your own response drawing attention to the damage aviation has already done to the planet (it is responsible for 5% of all global warming). A Gatwick expansion would also result in declining air quality in neighbouring areas due to the associated increase in road use and congestion.

QUESTION 6

Do you believe our approach to community engagement, as described in the draft master plan, should be improved, and if so, how? Before answering, you will find it useful to read Chapter 8 in the full version of the draft master plan.

CPRE Sussex suggests that you word your own reply pointing out that Gatwick has held all its consultation exhibitions in urban areas where it hopes to gain more support. The countryside and rural communities have been completely ignored.

QUESTION 7

If you make use of Gatwick, what areas of the passenger experience would you like to see improved?

QUESTION 8

Are there any aspects of our Surface Access Strategy that you believe should be improved and, if so, what are they? Before answering, you will find it useful to read Section 4.4 in the full version of the draft master plan.

QUESTION 9

Do you have any other comments to make about the Gatwick Airport draft master plan?

CPRE Sussex suggests you respond to this question by reaffirming your opposition to the entire Gatwick Master Plan.

What to do to next

You can send your responses by post to:

Write - FREEPOST GAL DRAFT MASTER PLAN CONSULTATION

Or by email to:

Email to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

*Please also write to your MP and local councillors urging them not to support the Gatwick Master Plan.