The Department for Transport has confirmed that initial proposals for expanding Heathrow Airport have now been received, with plans for a third runway expected to be developed further in the coming months.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “I am pleased to have received the initial Heathrow expansion proposals – a significant step towards unlocking growth, creating jobs, and delivering vital national infrastructure to drive forward our Plan for Change.
“We’ll consider the proposals carefully over the summer so that we can begin a review of the Airports National Policy Statement later this year.”
The Government has set out that any scheme would need to meet strict legal, environmental, and climate obligations. A review of the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS) is expected later this year, which will form the basis for decision-making on granting development consent for a third runway.
If approved, the third runway could become operational by 2035.
With Heathrow less than ten miles from Harrow, any expansion could have direct impacts on local residents, particularly in terms of flight paths, noise pollution, and air quality.
Local Assembly Member Bassam Mahfouz responded to the publication of the proposals, saying: “Having fought hard to reduce toxic gases across Ealing and Hillingdon over the past few years, I don’t want that undone with an expanded Heathrow.
“I have concerns above these proposals and will be scrutinising these plans in detail, but like the Mayor of London, remain unconvinced so far and opposed to a bigger Heathrow Airport.
“Any proposals must meet our climate objectives, guarantee good quality, well-paid jobs for local people and, my constituents who are already blighted by noise pollution cannot hear even more jet engines roar over their homes.”
Chris Mitchell is the founder and editor of Harrow Online, Harrow’s leading local news platform.
He launched Harrow Online in 2010 as a Facebook page sharing local news and information. Since then, it has grown into a trusted source for breaking news, crime, council decisions, planning, transport, business and community stories across the borough.
Harrow Online reaches hundreds of thousands of readers each month and has a social media audience of more than 200,000 followers.
For news tips, press releases or enquiries, contact Chris at info@harrowonline.org.
