Peter Barclay, Chairman of the Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign (GACC), has filed his application for permission to appeal to the Court of Appeal.
The appeal concerns the decision of Mr Justice Mould of 23 June 2026 to dismiss the judicial review claim of Mr Barclay, as well as the related claim of Communities Against Gatwick Noise Emissions (CAGNE). The judicial review contested the decision of the Secretary of State for Transport to make a development consent order (DCO) for the expansion of Gatwick Airport via the northern runway project (NRP) and was heard over four days in January 2026.
The appeal focuses on two grounds of challenge: the failure of the judge to grapple with both the misinterpretation of government policy by the Secretary of State and the fundamental flaws in Gatwick Airport’s economic case, specifically the demonstrable and irrevocable flaws in GAL’s business passenger forecast relied upon by the Secretary of State in her assessment of national economic benefit.
Given the current consultation taking place on the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS), the appeal also has wider ramifications, particularly on the correct interpretation of the existing ANPS and any revisions to it.
With the expansion, Gatwick is projected to facilitate 80.2 million passengers by 2047, at least 13.2 million passengers more than would be the case without the NRP. There are therefore significant impacts on the local community in terms of noise, public transport and congestion and on the wider world in terms of a significant contribution to carbon emissions.
The appeal will proceed under new expedited procedures for nationally significant infrastructure challenges. Those procedures require appellants to file an application for permission to appeal to the Court of Appeal within seven days of the decision of the High Court. A decision on permission should be made within four weeks of the filing of the appellant’s notice. If permission is granted, a hearing should take place within four months of the date of the appellant’s notice.
Peter Barclay of GACC is represented by Goodenough Ring Solicitors, who have instructed Alex Goodman KC (Landmark Chambers) and Gethin Thomas (39 Essex Chambers).