Transport secretary launches review to fast-track Heathrow expansion

The transport secretary has initiated a review which is claimed will fast-track planning approval for expansion of Heathrow.

 

The draft review of the Airports National Policy Statement is set to be published for consultation by summer 2026, providing the framework within which any future expansion, including a third runway at Heathrow, will be considered.

 

Previous work to launch the ANPS in 2018 took five years but the government said it was now committed to going ‘further and faster’ to get major building projects off the ground.

 

The move is aimed at ensuring that any planning application to build a third runway at Heathrow is processed in time to receive a decision within the current parliament to meet its target of flights taking off from a new runway by 2035.

 

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Transport secretary Heidi Alexander told parliament yesterday (Wednesday) that new environmental and climate obligations meant an updated ANPS was necessary to allow a decision to be taken on expansion planning applications.

 

The review will look at four key tests that any expansions of Heathrow will need to meet, including climate change, noise, air quality and contributing to economic growth nationwide. The government will seek formal advice from the Climate Change Committee to any amendments to the ANPS to ensure consistency with current net zero commitments.

 

The review’s launch came as Heathrow urged ministers to “move forward” with its third runway plans after potential promoters were invited to submit proposals to deliver a third runway earlier this year to inform the ANPS review. It follows the approval of Luton expansion plans earlier this year and Gatwick expansion last month.

 

The transport secretary also confirmed two schemes remained under active consideration, from Heathrow Airport Limited and the rival Arora Group. Both are now required to provide extra details to clarify the impacts of their plans for investors, affected communities and businesses.

 

Once these details have been considered the government will announce the scheme which will be taken forward to inform the remainder of the review by the end of November. Any necessary updates will then be consulted on next summer to allow communities and stakeholders to have their say.

 

Alexander said: “Today is a critical building block which will advance plans for the delivery of a third runway at Heathrow meaning people can start to experience the full benefits sooner. 

 

“As our only hub airport, Heathrow is critical to the UK’s economy, connecting millions of people every year and exporting British businesses across the globe. Enabling Heathrow expansion will drive economic growth and create jobs across the country, delivering on our Plan for Change.”

 

The government has already said the expansion at Heathrow must be financed entirely by the private sector, with no cost to taxpayers, and meet rigorous cost controls to deliver the project as quickly as possible. Financing will come from promoters who will cover any related costs to improvements to transport to and from the airport.

 

Heathrow chief executive Thomas Woldbye said: “We’ll provide the extra evidence the government has asked for to demonstrate our plan is the only one that ticks every box.

 

“We urge the government to give us certainty of the policy framework we need by the end of November so we can move on from talking to building and start investing.”

 

Surinder Arora, heading the competing proposal for a shorter third runway, was reported as saying: “A lot of people would rather have seen us disappear but we’re gong to be pushing through with our plan.”    

 

A spokesperson for Heathrow Reimagined, which incudes Arora Group and airlines, said: “Our campaign is fully supportive of expansion, but it cannot come at any cost. Heathrow is already the most expensive airport in the world. 

 

"We welcome the government’s commitment to ensure Heathrow third runway expansion is competitive, affordable and represents value for money.

 

“The full benefits of expansion to consumers, businesses and the UK economy will only be achieved through fundamental regulatory reform at Heathrow, and we look forward to the CAA’s (Civil Aviation Authority’s) upcoming review working paper.”

 

Karen Dee, chief executive of AirportsUK, said: “Delivering critical national infrastructure, including airport capacity, is vital if the UK is to increase economic growth. Setting a clear policy framework and providing a predictable, cost-effective and timely approvals process, will help bring forward investment, create more connectivity, and drive productivity.”

 

She added: “We look forward to working with ministers to deliver these elements to ensure the UK can remain a world leader in aviation.”

 

Tim Alderslade, chief executive of Airlines UK, welcomed the government’s recognition of aviation’s role in enabling economic growth and activity in all parts of the UK.

 

He added: “Airlines support airport expansion, but any scheme at Heathrow must be affordable, deliverable and aligned with the industry’s net zero commitments, principally through the scale-up of advanced SAF and a modernised UK airspace.

 

“We want a growing aviation sector and hub airport to deliver for passengers and businesses everywhere, but not at any cost, and we look forward to working with ministers to deliver on these objectives."

 

Jane Gratton, deputy director of public policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, described the announcement as “great news”.

 

“After many years in the planning, fast-tracking the process to support a decision on Heathrow’s expansion will be welcomed by businesses across the UK,” she said.

 

She added: “A third runway at Heathrow is vital to accelerating economic growth – as the UK’s hub airport and its largest air cargo port, its development will be a huge boost to British business.

 

“Construction projects on this scale are crucial to the future development of supply chains across the UK. Around 60% of the economic benefit from Heathrow expansion will be felt by communities outside London and the south east.

 

“Chambers believe a third runway at Heathrow, with facilities fit for the 21st Century, will boost trade, attract international investment, improve connectivity, and deliver wide-ranging benefits for the economy”.

 

But Paul McGuinness, chair of the No 3rd Runway Coalition, said: “The proposal for expansion remains stubbornly misguided, with the government still unable to demonstrate an economic case or capacity requirement for a third runway in light of other airport expansions. 

 

“Equally, the government remains unable to explain how expansion can be compatible with our legal commitments on climate and has set no legal or regulatory obligation on noise pollution from aircraft whatsoever.”

 

He added: “A third runway will divert investment, jobs and connectivity from regional airports down to the already well serviced southeast. 

 

“In a nutshell, this attempt to build the UK’s second largest airport on top of the already highly disruptive Heathrow is an absurdity, reflective of economic incoherence.”

 

The government said it was also pressing ahead with wider reforms to the UK’s planning systems, including the Planning and Infrastructure Bill to streamline the delivery of major infrastructure projects.