Decision details

Consideration of Members’ views of Gatwick Airport’s Northern Runway Project at the 10 October Full Council meeting, and how they will be considered / inform East Sussex County Council’s draft representations in future communications in relation to the Development Consent Order.

16.1     The Leader and Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport.

DECISIONS

16.2     The Leader and Lead Member RESOLVED to:

(1) Note the key points raised at the Full Council debate held on 10 October 2023 in relation to Gatwick’s Northern Runway Proposal and its current Development Consent Order application outlined in paragraph 2.2 of the report;

(2) Agree the key issues outlined in Appendix 1 of the report be included in the County Council’s Relevant Representations to be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate by 29 October 2023 in response to the Northern Runway Proposal Development Consent Order application; and

(3) Delegate authority to the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport to agree the content of the final Relevant Representation submitted to the Planning Inspectorate by 29 October 2023.

REASONS

16.3     The County Council has regularly engaged and responded to consultations on Gatwick’s Northern Runway Proposal since 2021 to ensure that those living in and visiting East Sussex are appropriately represented, and it will continue to do so.

16.4     Following the acceptance of Gatwick’s Development Consent Order application in August 2023 by the Planning Inspectorate (PINS), the Council has further opportunities to highlight any concerns and issues regarding the Northern Runway Proposal, and in the event of the proposal being approved what mitigations should be in place through the submission of its Relevant Representation by 29 October 2023, and its Written Representations and Local Impact Report ahead of the Examination stage in early 2024.

16.5     It was important that the views of Full Council were sought to help inform the Council’s responses at the respective stages in the Development Consent Order application process. The Full Council debate held on 10 October 2023 centred around the key topic areas of surface access, economy, noise, air quality, carbon, climate change and health.

16.6     The outcomes of the Full Council debate have been reflected (in bold) in the summary of the key issues to be included in the draft County Council’s Relevant Representation response to the Northern Runway Proposal Development Consent Order application within Appendix 1 of the report. These key issues will inform the Council’s Relevant Representation submission to PINS and will be signed off by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport or Assistant Director, Economy by the deadline date of 29 October 2023.