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 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.