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Residents from Tonbridge, Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells, Sussex and Surrey attend Gatwick flightpath protest in Penshurst

13:00, 17 August 2015

More than a thousand people gathered in a Kent field protest against changes to Gatwick's flight paths.

Campaigners travelled in their hundreds from around the county to unveil a 100ft sign which can be read by passengers arriving at the London airport. Some even came from as far as Surrey and Sussex.

Protest organisers, Gatwick Obviously Not, hope the sign, which reads "Gatwick how low can you go" will send a stern message to the aviation industry.

Scroll down for video.

The 100ft sign created by hundreds of people protesting against the narrowing of flightpaths. Picture: Gatwick Obviously Not
The 100ft sign created by hundreds of people protesting against the narrowing of flightpaths. Picture: Gatwick Obviously Not

The brief, but powerful message, which was structured with hay bales and then surrounded by protesters on Sunday night, will remain at Rogues Hill in Penshurst.

Chair of Gatwick Obviously Not, Martin Barraud, has been campaigning hard against the narrowing of flight paths over Kent, which has led to an increased number of flights travelling over the west of the county.

Mr Barraud said changes in routes to the airport have more than doubled the number of inbound planes flying over his Penshurst home.

Hundreds of people gathered for the protest. Picture: Sabina De Gaston-Cooper
Hundreds of people gathered for the protest. Picture: Sabina De Gaston-Cooper

He believes it's time the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) starts "listening to the people on the ground" and considering those residents affected by the noise, a group he describes as a "massive amount of people."

Speaking to the KM, Mr Barraud said: "It was a great turnout and a powerful message. We are gaining momentum every day and there is a lot going on at the moment."

Earlier this year Gatwick Obviously Not - which represents thousands of residents affected by the narrowing of Gatwick's flight paths - brought a judicial review against the CAA, but last week was refused permission to proceed by the High Court.

The aim was to challenge the CAA about the fact alterations had been made without public consultation.

Video: Hundreds gather for protests against a change to Gatwick's flight paths. Credit: Gatwick Obviously Not

Speaking after the refusal, Mr Barraud said: "Naturally we were disappointed and GON's Strategic Team of 15 spent much of the weekend conferring on the best way forward. We had to review and understand the reasons for the Order to Refuse and take the advice of our QC, John Steel.

"Having done so, the very strong consensus was to go to appeal, and we have now given those instructions to our counsel. We expect that to happen in the Autumn.

"It is not without some thought that one takes on the CAA, Secretary of State for Transport, Gatwick and NATS and the same care was given to our decision to go to appeal."

For more information on the campaign click here or receive live updates by following @LGWobviouslynot on Twitter.

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