The government has said it is “minded to approve” plans for a second runway to London Gatwick Airport.

But transport secretary Heidi Alexander said the deadline for the final decision had now been extended until 27 October 2025.

The Gatwick Airport Development Consent Order application was received on 27 November last year.

She said she had issued a “minded to approve” letter for the Gatwick Airport Northern Runway Development Consent Order (DCO) under the Planning Act 2008.

She added: “Given the examining authority’s report, for the first time, recommends an alternative DCO which includes a range of controls on the operation of the scheme and not all the provisions have been considered during the examination, I am issuing a minded to approve decision that provides some additional time to seek views from all parties on the provisions, prior to a final decision.”

London Gatwick today welcomed the announcement.

Stewart Wingate, chief executive officer London Gatwick, said: “It is vital that any planning conditions attached to the final approval enable us to make a decision to invest £2.2bn in this project and realise the full benefits of bringing the Northern Runway into routine use. 

“We will of course engage fully in the extended process for a final decision.

"We stand ready to deliver this project which will create 14,000 jobs and generate £1bn a year in economic benefits.

“By increasing resilience and capacity we can support the UK’s position as a leader in global connectivity and deliver substantial trade and economic growth in the South-east and more broadly.

“We have also outlined to government how we plan to grow responsibly to meet increasing passenger demand, while minimising noise and environmental impacts.”

The Northern Runway project represents a £2.2bn privately financed investment which could be operational by the end of the decade.

London Gatwick’s northern runway is currently used as a taxiway or a runway for emergencies. If approved, the airport’s plans would bring it into daily use alongside its main runway for departing aircraft, without major disruption.