Government aims to decide preferred Heathrow third runway scheme 'by end of November'

The Government has said that it is aiming to make a decision between two proposed schemes to deliver a third runway at Heathrow Airport by the 'end of November'. 

Transport secretary Heidi Alexander today (Wednesday), announced that the Government is launching a review of the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS), which provides the framework within which any future airport expansion will be considered.

Speaking in the House of Commons earlier today, Ms Alexander said the Government are ‘committed’ to making a decision on the controversial proposals for a third runway at the airport ‘within this Parliament’.

This includes an ambition to see flights taking off from the new runway in 2035.

Speaking in the chamber, Ms Alexander said that seven proposals received to deliver the third runway were considered, and two potential schemes ‘remain under active consideration’.

In July, the Government received initial proposals from Heathrow Airport for a 3,500m third runway, expected to cost £49billion.

A rival bid has also been submitted by Arora Group to create a shorter 2,800m runway.

“We are seeking further information on the two proposed schemes with a view to reaching a final decision on a single scheme to inform the remainder of the ANPS review by the end of November,” she said.

In making the decision, the Government will consider several factors, including the plans for transport both to and from the airport as well as associated road schemes and the impact on surrounding homes and communities.

The ANPS was launched and review in 2018, under the previous Conservative Government.

Ms Alexander explained: “Our review of the ANPS will ensure that while we unlock long-term capacity for more flights at the nation’s only hub airport, we will also meet our obligations to passengers, communities and the environment. 

“Expansion at Heathrow must minimise cost for passengers and customers. The taxpayer must not be expected to foot the bill.

“That is why the scheme will be privately financed—both the core project and the related infrastructure improvements.

“Extra staff and passengers must be able to get to and from the airport without turning the M4 and M25 into Europe’s largest car park.

“Crucially, the expansion must align with our legal, environmental and climate commitments.”

Ms Alexander added that beginning the review of the ANPS is ‘critical to delivering expansion’ and will provide the basis for decisions ‘on any future planning applications’.

She explained that the world has changed since 2018, with new climate and environmental obligations being introduced and travel patterns changing.

“In carrying out this review, we will consider how any proposed scheme must meet four clear tests,” she said.

These include how the scheme contributes to economic growth in the country, meets air quality obligations, is consistent with noise commitments and aligns with legal obligations on climate change – including net zero.

The Government will seek the independent opinion of the Climate Change Committee as part of its work, she said.

It will also develop analysis on the environmental and economic impacts of expansion, over the coming months and will undertake an appraisal of sustainability.

“If amendments are needed to the ANPS as a result of the review, we expect to consult on an amended policy statement by next summer,” she added.

Ms Alexander said that the Planning and Infrastructure Bill will ‘streamline the delivery of major infrastructure, including Heathrow’, and the Government will work with the judiciary to reduce the time it takes for a review to move through the court system for national policy statements and ‘nationally significant infrastructure projects’.

The Government will also work with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to review the framework for economic regulation ‘for capacity expansion at Heathrow, ensuring the model provides strong incentives for cost-effective delivery’.

She added: “We expect the CAA to publish a working paper in November, with a view to that work completing next summer.

“This is a landmark opportunity for Heathrow, for the aviation sector and for the UK economy.

“The Government remain fully committed to ensuring the expansion is delivered in a way that is timely, cost-efficient and environmentally responsible.”