Gatwick squares up to Heathrow with cash to combat plane noise
GATWICK Airport has offered to pay compensation to 1,000 extra households as it campaigns on its noise credentials for permission to build a second runway.
The south London airport said 2,000 homes in total will benefit from its more generous noise scheme, which offers residents up to £3,000 each to install double glazing and other noise protection.
Gatwick claims that the extended noisy zone, covering 43 square kilometres to the east and west of the runway, would cover almost 67,000 homes in the equivalent area under Heathrow’s flight paths.
“As Heathrow starts to consult its local communities about a third runway they should break their silence about noise and think seriously about following our lead,” said Gatwick boss Stewart Wingate.
Gatwick and Heathrow are on the Airports Commission’s shortlist for the site of a new runway in south east England. A final recommendation is due after the 2015 General Election.