Issue - meetings

(Report of Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health)

The report advised on the publication of the Government’s National Policy Statement (NPS) on Airports, drawing on key issues of interest to the Borough.

Following consideration by the Planning and Transportation Advisory Board, the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure resolved that:

(1)     the Borough Council’s support for meeting need for additional airport capacity at Heathrow and the Government’s preferred option of the northwest runway be reaffirmed; and

(2)     the overall approach towards environmental mitigation measures in respect of the preferred option be supported by the Borough Council but the risks to deliverability as outlined in the report be noted.

Decision Notice D170025MEM

The report advised on the publication of the Government’s National Policy Statement (NPS) on Airports, drawing on key issues of interest to the Borough.

Members noted concerns that the mitigation measures in respect of Heathrow could be challenging without further intervention by Government, either financially or otherwise. It was also noted that the NPS recognised that the Gatwick option had less overall adverse environmental impact and impacted on fewer people.  However, due to the wider economic boost, the benefit to passengers and better connectivity the NPS recommended that the Heathrow Northwest Runway should be the Government’s preferred option.

RECOMMENDED: That

(1)     the Borough Council’s support for meeting need for additional airport capacity at Heathrow and the Government’s preferred option of the northwest runway be reaffirmed; and

(2)    the overall approach towards environmental mitigation measures in respect of the preferred option be supported by the Borough Council but the risks to deliverability as outlined in the report be noted.