Thousands of new Gatwick jobs would be '˜catastrophic for local people'

They say that the extra workers would have to be imported - and that such an influx of labour ‘would bring local housing, schools and doctors’ surgeries to their knees.’

The claims are made by the protest group CAGNE - Campaign Against Gatwick Noise Emissions. They say that the extra workers would have to come from outside the area because there was already virtually no unemployment around the airport.

In a statement, the grop says: “The consequences of such an influx would be catastrophic to local people.

“Ask anyone who lives locally about the inadequacies they and their children suffer, today - insufficient housing, school places, clinics and doctors.

“Plus, right now, they put up with one of the country’s worst motorways and an appalling railway service”.

Following publication of a report last week outlining the creation of 288,000 new jobs if expansion is given the go-ahead, Gatwick CEO Stewart Wingate said: “Gatwick’s second runway will not only connect the UK to existing and emergent markets around the world, it will also provide thousands of jobs across the South East and deliver a once in a generation opportunity for young people to directly benefit from expansion.”

But CAGNE maintains that not enough infrastructure or social services are planned to cope with the extra workers.

The Gatwick Diamond business group has already said that 40-45,000 new houses would be needed as a result of Gatwick expansion.