Early opposition to Gatwick's second runway takes off

As the chances of a third runway being built at Heathrow recede further with every poll point Labour loses, airport operators are turning their attention to proposals for a second runway to be built at London's second largest airport, Gatwick.

However, opposition to the plans is already building, with both the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats pledging to block any proposals for a second runway if elected – just as they have vowed to reverse the government's decision to expand Heathrow.

Gatwick is being sold by airport operator BAA, with the deadline for bids due to lapse today.

According to Press Association reports, three groups – including Manchester Airport Group and Global Infrastructure Partners – have tabled bids, all of which include plans for a second runway at the airport.

However, both opposition parties, local residents and green groups said they would fight the proposals, which would see work on a new runway begin from 2019.

Conservative shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers, who led Tory opposition to a third runway at Heathrow, said that if elected the party "will not allow a second runway to be built at Gatwick".

The move comes as doubts continue to mount over plans for a third runway at Heathrow.

The proposals from airport operator BAA were given the go-ahead by the government earlier this year, but experts are increasingly sceptical that the project will ever get under way after green groups promised to stall the plans through further legal action and opposition parties pledged to reverse the planning approval if they win the next election.