By bizn_fun 
“This government has taken unprecedented steps to get this done, navigating a needlessly complex planning system, which our reforms will simplify in future,” the government source said.
“Any airport expansion must be delivered in line with our legally binding climate change commitments and meet strict environmental requirements.”
But there is strong opposition to any expansion, particularly from climate campaigners.
Following the news that that transport secretary had approved Gatwick’s expansion plan, new Green Party leader Zack Polanski said it was a “disaster for the climate crisis.”
Hannah Lawrence, spokesperson for Stay Grounded, said “We need an immediate end to airport expansion and money put into improving sustainable transport such as trains.”
In February, Greenpeace UK policy director Douglas Parr said the extension would not drive economic growth. “The only thing it’s set to boost is air pollution, noise, and climate emissions,” he added.
Alex Chapman, senior economist at left-of-centre think tank New Economics Foundation, also argued the move would not create new jobs, but would just shift them from other parts of the country.
“People are already perfectly able to catch cheap flights on holiday or travel for business,” he added.
Unite the Union general secretary Sharon Graham backed Gatwick having a second runway, but warned it would need “to come with guarantees of well paid, unionised jobs and proper facilities for workers”.