Airport officials have been explaining why expansion at Gatwick will benefit Wandsworth.

They said expansion at the West Sussex airport will support the case for redevelopment of Clapham Junction Station and provide local people with access to apprenticeships.

Approximately 200 people heard the case from Gatwick at an event on Thursday, November 13, at St Mary’s Church in Putney.

The airport is competing with Heathrow for permission to expand and a public consultation is underway.

Gatwick’s chief financial officer Nick Dunn said: “Gatwick’s second runway would be built at no cost to the public purse and at half the price of expansion at Heathrow.

“We would create 120,000 jobs and complete the compass of regeneration around London, avoiding the overheated west and taking advantage of the potential for growth in the south."

Wandsworth Times:

Council leader Ravi Govindia said: “Gatwick has a compelling case. Compared to Heathrow this option will be delivered faster and will affect far fewer people with noise. It is also less polluting and can be built without any taxpayer subsidy.

“According to Sir Howard Davies an expanded Gatwick would affect 26,000 people with noise. An expanded Heathrow would affect 820,000 and the airport simply cannot afford to insulate so many homes nor properly compensate homeowners.

“We strongly believe Gatwick is the right option for Wandsworth, for London and for future growth in the UK economy. The last decade has shown that expanding Heathrow is politically impossible. We should concentrate on a scheme that can actually be built.”

A second public debate will focus on the two options for expanding Heathrow and will take place at 8pm in St Mary’s Church, Putney High Street on Thursday, November 27. It will feature representatives from Heathrow as well as MP Justine Greening and Coun Govindia.