The UK gave its tentative backing to a plan to expand London’s Gatwick airport, as the Labour government insisted it can push ahead with major infrastructure projects while still meeting its environmental commitments.

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 will decide on Thursday whether to allow Gatwick Airport to expand, a move that could add millions of extra passengers at the country's no.2 hub and help boost economic growth.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the campaign group Communities Against Gatwick Noise Emissions (Cagne) said: "We welcome the extension by the secretary of state until October as she

London Gatwick Airport's plans to expand have been boosted by a UK minister's decision to support the scheme. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander announced she "minded to approve" the expansion if the project is adjusted.

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.