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BAA and the Government are facing fierce opposition from residents around Gatwick after plans were revealed to almost quadruple the number of passengers at the airport.

Two new runways could be built at Gatwick to bring passenger numbers to 115 million a year. Alternative proposals with a single extra runway could take the airport to an 80 million capacity.

The Government, which owns a golden share in the privatised BAA allowing it to dictate expansion, was forced into the announcement after resident around Stansted and in Kent demanded plans for Gatwick were revealed. The airport has an agreement with the local council not to expand before 2019.