A NEW runway at Gatwick Airport will mean demolishing nearly 300 commercial properties.

The head of real estate at the airport admitted company bosses’ reactions were mixed to the news that their premises would have to make way for a new runway.

Emma Rees was speaking at a meeting of the Sussex Property Alliance, where delegates indicated their unanimous support of expansion in Sussex.

The meeting at the American Express Community Stadium heard how a new runway would create an economic benefit worth £90 billion.

It will also create 22,000 direct jobs and 100,000 indirect jobs.

Expansion will require 9,300 new homes between 2025 and 2050 which “can be managed”, the airport boss said.

She said there was “no real evidence” to claims by environmental groups that 40,000 new homes would be needed.

Speaking about the loss of commercial space of Lowfield Heath, City Place and the northern edge of Manor Royal industrial estate, Ms Rees said: “The reaction has been mixed.

“We’ve been talking to a number of companies including some family businesses that have been there for years and national companies that have more flexibility. It’s a mixed bag.

“The one thing we’ve committed to is to work with companies to help them relocate and move forward.

“At the moment we’re in an unknown environment. We’re open to conversation but at this stage it’s a theoretical conversation.”

Companies affected would include Nestle, Lloyds, Air Partner Travel Consultants and APV.

The majority of businesses in the Gatwick area support expansion.

Meanwhile 163 residential properties would have to make way if the government backs Gatwick.

Speaking about the response Ms Rees said: “Some say they have begun to see an impact and they’re already becoming un-lettable.

“Others see it as an opportunity.” She also admitted the railway station at the airport was “a bit third world” and the airport hoped to for a better design.

Expansion would mean the creation of new office blocks hotels and carparks.