The plans will see air traffic above Tunbridge Wells and surrounding areas significantly increase.
Campaign group Gatwick Obviously Not say the plans will see 70 per cent more passengers using the airport, generate more than 35 per cent extra flights and increase CO2 emissions by 50 per cent.
Martin Barraud, chairman of the group says they have a called a meeting to encourage residents to respond to the meetings, and Tonbridge MP Mr Tugendhat has agreed to speak.
Tonbridge MP Mr Tugendhat has agreed to speak. It comes after Mr Tugendhat along with seven other local MPs, including Tunbridge Wells’ Greg Clark, formed a co-ordination group to highlight their constituents’ concerns over the airport expansion.
Mr Tugendhat has previously said: “It will come as no surprise that I will be strongly opposing this proposal by Gatwick for a second runway and will do all I can to stop it.”
The meeting also follows a unanimous vote at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council where all 48 members backed a motion to oppose Gatwick’s plans at the Borough’s Full Council meeting this month.
The motion, brought by Lib Dem councillor, Ben Chapelard, read: “Tunbridge Wells Borough Council continues to oppose any further expansion of Gatwick Airport.
“This council does not support the airport’s proposal to use its northern runway for routine use as it will lead to more flights and more pollution for our residents. The environmental damage this will cause goes against tackling the climate change emergency.”
Gatwick say the plan to bring their emergency runway into operation use will create more than 18,000 jobs and generate £1.5billion of economic benefits to the local area. It will also increase capacity at the airport by around a third.
The airport’s consultation was launched on September 9 and is expected to close in December.
The meeting hosted by Gatwick Obviously Not takes place on Tuesday November 9 at Penshurst Church, in Penshurst.
