Heathrow moves on

The Heathrow expansion entered its latest phase on Thursday with the launch by the government of its draft National Policy Statement (NPS), with the imposition of conditions the airport must meet for R3 approval.

Among them is a requirement to add six domestic routes to its network over the next decade to Belfast, Liverpool, Newquay, Humberside, Prestwick and Durham and introduce a 6.5hr ban on night flights.

The airport has been told it must also provide compensation to communities affected by the expansion and introduce measures to mitigate the impacts of noise, including legally binding noise targets.

The draft NPS says Heathrow must also provide a "world-class" package of support for communities affected by expansion, including honouring its commitment to pay home owners 25% above market value plus costs for compulsory purchased homes.

The document, which envisages 260,000 more aircraft movements per year from the expanded airport, up from the current cap of 480,000, is now open to a 16-month consultation. It will come before the Commons Transport Select Committee this summer.

Heathrow is encouraging all stakeholders and those with an interest in the project to visit the Department for Transport's (DfT) website for further information on how to respond to the consultation:

https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/airport-capacity-and-airspace-policy

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