Transport secretary Heidi Alexander has granted “development consent” for the Sussex airport’s scheme, which will convert its Northern Runway from a taxiway into a fully functioning runway.

The decision follows a consultation on aircraft noise and passenger access, with the government backing the project as vital for the economy.

A government spokesperson said: "With capacity constraints holding back business, trade and tourism, this is a no-brainer for growth. This government has taken unprecedented steps to get this done, navigating a needlessly complex planning system, which our reforms will simplify in future. It is possible that planes could be taking off from a new full runway at Gatwick before the next general election."

Stewart Wingate, UK managing director for Gatwick’s owner VINCI Airports, welcomed the announcement.

He said: "This is another important gateway in the planning process for this £2.2 billion investment, which is fully funded by our shareholders and will unlock significant growth, tourism and trade benefits for London Gatwick, and the UK and create thousands of jobs.

"As we’ve said previously, it is essential that any planning conditions enable us to realise the full benefits of the project and do not impose unnecessary constraints that make it uneconomic to invest in. We now need to carefully examine the details of the planning consent. Once we have done that, we will be able to comment further."

Gatwick, which is currently Europe’s busiest single-runway airport, handles more than 40 million passengers annually. Officials say the Northern Runway conversion could allow the airport to serve 75 million a year by the late 2030s.

However, the plan is set to face opposition from local residents and campaigners.

Community group CAGNE said: "We know this government cares little for the environmental impact aviation is having on our planet and Gatwick’s neighbours, but not to demand that Gatwick pays for the infrastructure, the onsite wastewater treatment plant and noise impact is unlawful in our book."