The U.K. government gave its provisional backing Thursday to the creation of a second runway at Gatwick Airport outside London if certain improvements were met, including on noise reduction — a move that has been met with incredulity from environmental campaigners.

Britain is inclined to approve the expansion of its second largest airport Gatwick, the government said on Thursday, over objections from environmentalists and during a push on infrastructure to drive economic growth.

Gatwick has said the second runway expansion would allow around 100,000 more flights per year and create 14,000 jobs.

The Civil Aviation Authority made the comments as it announced support for the West Sussex airport's proposed new commitments over the next four years

Britain is set to approve the expansion of Gatwick Airport, the government's transport minister said on Thursday, after she issued a "minded to approve" letter but said the deadline for a final decision would be extended to Oct.

The U.K. government has provided provisional approval to the creation of a second runway at Gatwick Airport outside London

London Gatwick Airport expansion is expected to get a green light today which would boost its capacity by 30 million more passengers a year. The UK’s second-biggest airport is expected to welcome a decision from the Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander this morning to bring its emergency runway into permanent use.