Heathrow expansion

February 2017 to May 2017
The government consulted on a draft Airports National Policy Statement (NPS).

April 2017
Buckinghamshire Council submitted a response to the consultation following a vote and supported expansion subject to appropriate mitigation for residents and businesses, particularly those in the Ivers area, and for the environment.

December 2017
Buckinghamshire Council submitted a response to a second round of NPS consultation.

26 June 2018
The Airports National Policy Statement was designated by the Secretary of State for Transport.

September 2019
Buckinghamshire Council and BLEP submitted a joint response to the Statutory Heathrow Airport Limited Consultation.

February 2020
The Court of Appeal ruled the decision to allow the airport expansion was unlawful as it did not consider climate commitments.

December 2020
Supreme Court overturned this decision as the strategy was legitimately based on previous, less stringent, climate targets at the time it was agreed. It made it clear that up-to-date climate obligations will be considered as part of the planning process that would apply to any proposals for the Heathrow Expansion.

April 2021
The Government included international aviation in the UK’s climate change net zero carbon budgets. National Infrastructure Strategy and updates to National Policy Statements support the Levelling Up agenda including links with the regions, London & the South East.

Covid-19 reduced passenger numbers in 2020 to 23% of those seen in 2019. In February 2021 HAL announced a £2 billion loss for the financial year. John Holland Kaye of HAL suggested that Covid-19 may delay the airport expansion by 10 years. One option would be for HAL to increase capacity through new airspace design.

HAL said: “Heathrow remains committed to the Western Rail Link, a project which will facilitate sustainable travel and regional connectivity. CAA and the DfT now need to work with us to agree terms that will enable this project, which has the widespread support of businesses and MPs, to move forward, despite the airport’s current challenges.”