Richmond’s objection comes as part of its longstanding opposition to building a third way at Heathrow
A South West London council has set out its objections to the Government’s blueprint for a proposed third runway at Heathrow Airport. Richmond Council is opposing rationale and four tests outlined in the Government’s proposed new framework to guide future planning decisions on expanding capacity at Heathrow, continuing its longstanding objection to building a third runway.
Heathrow Airport Limited, which owns the airport, is preparing proposals to build a new 3,500-metre northwest runway, which would require moving the M25. A decision on this, once an application is submitted, is expected to be taken in 2029.
Richmond has now laid out its response to the Government’s current consultation on the draft Heathrow expansion national policy statement (HENPS), published in June, which would guide future decisions on building a third runway.
The draft HENPS sets out four tests the proposed expansion would have to meet to go ahead, involving contributing to economic growth and meeting legal climate obligations, air quality requirements and noise commitments.
The Government said at the time of publishing the draft HENPS, while still under Sir Keir Starmer, that expansion would attract international investment, boost Britain’s connectivity to new markets and could deliver more than £40billion of benefits to the UK.
New Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who took over from Sir Keir in July, has previously raised concerns about expanding Heathrow, stating the plan diverts “infrastructure investment away from the North and traps it in London and the South East” last year.
Richmond’s response to the consultation argues “London needs a better Heathrow, not a bigger one” and objects to expansion on the grounds of noise, air pollution, carbon emissions, transport pressure and concern over harm to public health, according to a report by council officers.
It disputes the Government’s assessment of Heathrow expansion as vital to boost airport capacity and support trade, passenger choice and growth, arguing it is weighted in favour of expansion rather than providing a balanced assessment of whether it is needed, proportionate or better than alternatives.
The council also argues the tests for assessing expansion are too weakly defined, designed to favour expansion rather than providing a proper framework for assessing its impact.
It challenges the Government’s proposed mitigations for the impacts of expansion, including noise insulation, compensation and monitoring, as it believes they should be stronger and there should be more focus on avoiding these impacts in the first place.
Richmond’s special standing committee on Heathrow agreed to submit its response to the consultation, after finalising it, at a meeting on August 12.
Jamie Fisher, head of Richmond’s policy and strategy, said the response states the “Government has not properly made the case for expansion at Heathrow”.
He added: “It also argues strongly that local communities, including Richmond, should not be exposed to the additional harm from expansion and that the questionable economic growth should not come at the expense of local residents.”
The consultation closes on September 1.
A vote is expected to be held in Parliament on the HENPS by the end of the year, if the Government decides to move ahead with it following the consultation and further scrutiny.
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