THE boss of Gatwick Airport has defended leaked plans for a “second runway by the back door” following their official release.

News broke on Monday that the airport was soon to unveil plans which would involve adapting an emergency runway for routine use in order to increase the volume of flights arriving and departing.

However, following fierce criticism from environmental groups who claimed that the plan was a “backdoor expansion”, the airport’s chief executive Stewart Wingate has defended the plans.

He said: “Utilising the stand-by runway for routine departures is one of three scenarios we have put forward in our master plan. We have had safety experts review these plans and they have all said they are completely safe. We also believe that they will not add to noise pollution for people living near to the airport, but in fact would help reduce noise from planes at night.”

Mr Wingate said that his employers estimated demand at the airport would rise from 47.1million passengers per year in 2018 to 60million by 2032.

The draft master plan released today outlines three possible scenarios for growth going into the 2030s.

The first involves incorporating new technology into the existing runway to make it more efficient.

The second involves adapting the stand-by runway for routine flight use, and the third involves building a second runway.

Mr Wingate claimed that by using the emergency runway for routine flights, the airport could take up to 70 million passengers per year, a move that he said would benefit the local economy and create jobs.

He said: "Our draft master plan marks the start of a new phase for Gatwick, building on what has made the airport the success it is today, and pioneering again to take advantage of the exciting opportunities that lie ahead."

"As the UK heads towards an important new chapter, Gatwick’s growing global connections are needed more than ever."

However, environmental groups have claimed that opening a second runway would contribute to harmful pollution which would damage the environment.

Green MEP for the South East Keith Taylor said: “The planet cannot afford airport expansion.

"Aviation is a top ten global polluter and emissions from the heavily subsidised industry are set to balloon by 300 per cent if action is not taken sooner rather than later.

"Just last week climate scientists highlighted the urgent need for radical action on climate change, and airport expansion quite literally flies in the face of the Government’s claim that it is committed to protecting our planet and our environment."