THE battle over a potential second runway at Gatwick is heating up as the decision date approaches.
The Airport Commission is due to rule on the best way to maximise the South's air capacity after May's general election and is considering a possible second runway at Gatwick or a third runway at Heathrow.
This week Gatwick bosses have claimed theirs is the more popular option among Londoners but Charlwood Parish Council is "totally opposed" and has arranged two public meetings to rally opposition.
A press release from the council said: "In 851 the women of Charlwood defeated the invading Danish army.
"In more recent years there have been three attempts to inflict a second runway on the parish of Charlwood, all of which have been seen off. Charlwood parish will defeat this again."
The Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign also opposes a new runway at the airport and has released an 18-page document called Gatwick Unwrapped, outlining potential problems. Chairman Brendon Sewill said: "The runway has been sold to the public gift-wrapped in a massive advertising and lobbying campaign, but when unwrapped it is not 'what we always hoped for'."
But Gatwick bosses have hit back with a YouGov survey which shows 45 per cent of Londoners picked expanding Gatwick, compared to 39 for Heathrow. Chief executive Stewart Wingate called it "a timely reminder of the growing support and momentum behind Gatwick".
The council meetings will be held at St Nicholas' Church at 7.30pm tonight (Thursday) and at Hookwood Memorial Hall at 11am on Saturday.