Overview
- Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander named Heathrow Airport Limited’s north‑west runway scheme as the basis for revising the Airports National Policy Statement, without granting final approval.
- The government timetable sets an ANPS consultation next summer with parliamentary scrutiny to follow, targeting a planning decision by 2029 and runway operations around 2035.
- The chosen design includes a runway up to 3.5km and rerouting the M25 through a new tunnel west of the current motorway; a rival 2.8km Arora plan was rejected, with officials noting it would still significantly affect the M25.
- Ministers say the project will be privately financed with no cost to taxpayers as the CAA develops cost‑control rules and options on early cost recovery; airlines warn of higher charges, with media reporting total costs near £49bn.
- Any expansion must meet legal obligations on climate, air quality and noise, with the Climate Change Committee formally consulted and London airspace modernisation prioritised to support a potential 2035 opening.