THE borough's London Assembly member says the expansion of Gatwick Airport would act as a "catalyst" for growth here.
Steve O' Connell believes that a second runway at Gatwick would have "huge economic benefits but less environmental impact than the other plans put forward".
Writing in the Daily Telegraph last week, he added: "Huge infrastructure projects create wider economic growth, and an expanded Gatwick would deliver these benefits where they are needed most: in the south east. West London is already well-established; expanding Heathrow would focus regeneration in the wrong place. "It is south London that is crying out for growth, and Gatwick is the perfect catalyst to produce new jobs, homes and business opportunities from Croydon to Clapham, Brighton to Bermondsey."
