DECISIONS on proposals for a second runway for Gatwick Airport were based on "flawed data", an environmental activist group has claimed.

Communities Against Gatwick Noise and Emissions (CAGNE), an aviation community group for Sussex, Surrey and Kent, said a public consultation on the proposed expansion of the airport used out-of-date carbon values from 2018, which it claims "dramatically underestimate their schemed climate cost".

A report by the New Economics Foundation found that using an updated carbon value with figures from the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) in 2021 would "wipe out the majority of the benefit claimed by Gatwick Airport" in relation to expansion plans.

A spokesman for the group said: "This must now seriously question Gatwick plans for expansion and the results of the public consultation as decisions were based on flawed data according to this new report.

"Residents have participated in a consultation that did not tell the truth to the impact on our impact as the figures were out of date according to this report.

"Local authorities are required to make use of the government's updated carbon values to inform their decisions as such these findings must bring serious questions to how any elected body can support Gatwick Airport's second runway and how this public consultation results be seen as genuine feedback."

A spokeswoman for Gatwick Airport said they are acutely aware of their responsibilities on climate change and the environment and will grow in a way that supports the government's commitment to reaching net-zero by 2050.

She said: "Our northern runway plans are designed to unlock new capacity from our existing infrastructure, much of which is already in place.

"We believe our northern runway plans can be compatible with UK climate change targets given a strong industry focus on reducing emissions through market-based measures and innovation, including improvements in engine efficiency, the use of sustainable aviation fuels and hydrogen and electric-power technologies.

"New process and technologies obviously require investment to develop and we will continue to work collaboratively cross-industry to ensure we stay on course to meet the government commitment of net zero emissions by 2050."

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