GATWICK is being a "negligent neighbour" according to East Surrey MP Sam Gyimah, who also condemned the airport's "aggressive" marketing campaign for a second runway in the face of community opposition.
Last week, the Mirror reported how Mr Gyimah had accused Gatwick bosses of trying to kick issues regarding controversial changes to flight paths over East Surrey "into the long grass" and called for more clarity on when the changes will be reviewed.
But flight paths are not his only concern. The MP says he remains staunchly opposed to any second runway at the airport, believing the effects on East Surrey would be "deeply troubling".
He believes Gatwick bosses are pushing ahead with their plan without paying due deference to massive community opposition.
He told the Mirror: "I don't think there's broad-based community support for what Gatwick is doing, I say 'broad-based' because there are some pockets of people who obviously support it, as you would expect.
"And the reason why they are losing the community support is they are being seen as a negligent neighbour.
"They are not being upfront about the potential this could have to change the nature and the character of the area, or the strain it's going to put on local infrastructure, not to mention services."
He added: "There is a sense in which Gatwick was acquired and promises were made to local people for their consent and it looks like those promises have been reneged on and almost the worst fears of some of the residents at the time Gatwick was bought seem to be coming to fruition."
Gatwick was bought by Gatwick Airport Ltd when it became independent from Heathrow in 2010.
My Gyimah, who will stand for re-election in East Surrey this May, says he believes the airport should grow to capacity before bosses consider expansion.
"They bought the business at the time knowing there couldn't be a second runway before 2019, right?" he said.
"That was the basis on which they invested and I think, from a local resident's perspective, they bought the business at that time making those promises.
"It sort of sticks in the craw that we haven't even got to 2019 and they are talking about a different plan."
A second runway at Gatwick is currently being considered by the Government's Airports Commission, as is a third runway at Heathrow.
Despite waiting until now to speak out on the issues surrounding Gatwick and a potential second runway, Mr Gyimah says he has already had meetings with Gatwick CEO Stewart Wingate, the Civil Aviation Authority – which controls UK airspace – and relevant ministers.
