Court battle over runway at Gatwick

GOVERNMENT plans to build an extra runway at Gatwick Airport are being challenged in the High Court today. Transport Secretary Alistair Darling wants a huge expansion of the South East's 'big three' airports.

But Heathrow could be blocked as it fails to meet European Union emission targets, protesters are fighting a second runway at Stansted, and now property developers are challenging plans for Gatwick.

A consortium led by Persimmon and backed by Laing Homes will ask for a judicial review, claiming the aviation White Paper blights plans for 2,700 homes near Gatwick, which is owned by BAA.

The Government says a large area of land should be kept in reserve for a new runway in the 2020s. It could be built near the existing strip, but there are fears it might be built further away, near homes and businesses.

David Bryant, a director of Persimmon, said: 'The issues revolve around the location of a second runway. If it were adjacent to the existing runway the proposed development of a new neighbourhood could go ahead.'