The Government has unveiled its blueprint for a third runway at Heathrow, stressing that the airport's expansion is "critical" for national growth. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander launched a consultation on the newly renamed Heathrow expansion national policy statement (HENPS), outlining the conditions required for the project to receive the green light.
Two Proposals for Expansion
Two separate proposals to expand Heathrow have been put forward to the Government. The airport's owners, Heathrow Airport Limited (HAL), are seeking permission to construct a full-length, 3,500-metre runway, a project that would necessitate the relocation of the M25 motorway. Hotel tycoon Surinder Arora, meanwhile, wants his company to build a 2,800-metre runway, which would not require moving the motorway.
Last November, Ms Alexander announced her preference for the full-length runway option. HAL's scheme carries an estimated price tag of £33 billion, including £1.5 billion to reroute the M25, and is expected to be entirely privately funded. The plans would see Heathrow's capacity rise to 756,000 flights and 150 million passengers per year.
Government's Stance
Speaking on Thursday, Ms Alexander said: "The Government considers that the development covered by the Heathrow expansion NPS is critical to national growth and therefore plans to designate expansion at Heathrow as critical national growth infrastructure. This is a signal of the importance the Government places on the need for expansion and will be an important additional factor in the planning balance."
The draft HENPS requires applicants to demonstrate how the transport network would accommodate increased passenger numbers, including how any necessary road and rail improvements would be delivered. It proposes that expansion must be compatible with the UK's legally binding climate targets, not cause new breaches of air quality limits and ensure noise emissions are not worse than 2024 levels, with reductions where possible.
Political Context
The launch of the 10-week consultation falls on the same day as the Makerfield by-election, which could prove pivotal in determining Sir Keir Starmer's political future. Andy Burnham is contesting the Greater Manchester seat as Labour's candidate, with ambitions of returning to Westminster to succeed the Prime Minister. Mr Burnham has previously voiced reservations about Heathrow expansion, arguing the plans channel infrastructure investment "away from the North and traps it in London."
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said she was determined to get "spades in the ground" for the third runway in the current Parliament and for it to be built by 2035. Addressing the Times CEO Summit in London on Thursday, she argued that Heathrow was currently "not punching its weight" as a hub airport. Ms Reeves contended that Heathrow was "the perfect example of the problem in the UK in being able to get stuff done," with people knowing "for years, decades" that a third runway was needed, yet consistently failing to deliver one.
Reactions
Heathrow chief executive Thomas Woldbye said: "The publication of the draft Heathrow expansion national policy statement represents something Britain has often found difficult in recent years: progress. We strongly welcome that the Government has taken this next critical step." He added: "The UK cannot realise its full economic potential without an expanded Heathrow and this is an important step towards delivering the capacity the country needs. Our plan is privately funded by some of the largest investors in the world, widely supported by businesses, trade unions and communities across the country, and it's ready to go after years of scrutiny. We will now focus on securing planning permission and delivering this vital project."
However, Alethea Warrington, head of aviation at climate charity Possible, struck a very different tone, saying: "The Government is living in a fantasy land if it thinks it can allow a new runway without making noise pollution even worse, making our air even more toxic, or crashing through our climate targets."
