Extinction Rebellion (XR) protested against Gatwick Airport’s expansion plans at a hotel.

Protesters demonstrated outside the Sandman Signature London Gatwick Hotel, where three days of hearings for Gatwick Airport’s application to build a second runway are being held by the planning inspectorate.

XR claims that the local infrastructure would struggle to cope with the 100,000 extra flights and eighty million passengers the expansion would bring.

The Argus:

Marianne Kelly, from XR, said: “We went to Gatwick to let the planning inspectorate and Gatwick Airport know that people living under the existing runway are subject to noise, traffic, air pollution, and flooding.”

XR claims that Gatwick Airport's application depends on sustainable aviation fuel, but there is not enough to meet the aviation industry's demands.

Dr Daniel Roberts, Brighton A&E doctor and XR member, said: “As a doctor, I am concerned that the health implications of this expansion have not been properly considered. It will be damaging to residents. In addition, the implications for furthering the climate crisis will have profound impacts on all our health.”

Green councillors, climate campaign group members and residents attended this protest.