Ministers have today confirmed their backing for Heathrow Airport’s £49 billion proposal for the construction of a third runway, rejecting plans put forward by its competitor Heathrow West Limited (HWL).
Heathrow Airport’s scheme to build a full-length, 3,500m runway will allow for “greater resilience and potential futureproofing”, according to an announcement by the Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander.
Rival company HWL, which is owned by Arora Group, made its case for selection last week, claiming that a shorter 2,800m runway would be more cost-effective and avoid the need to move the M25.
However, the Transport Secretary claimed in a written statement that the HWL scheme would also have “a considerable impact on the M25” and would require the acquisition of more residential properties around the airport.
“Heathrow is our only hub airport which supports trade, tourism and hundreds of thousands of jobs, underpinning prosperity not only in the South East but across the UK,” she said.
“Today is another important step to enable a third runway and build on these benefits, setting the direction for the remainder of our work to get the policy framework in place for airport expansion.
“This will allow a decision on a third runway plan this parliament which meets our key tests, including on the environment and economic growth.”
Amendments to the design of the runway made as part of a review process will be subject to a consultation next summer.
Any promoter will still be able to submit a planning application to build the third runway following the completion of the review.
“HAL’s proposed costs of expansion… jeopardise the future of the airport”
Surinder Arora, Founder and Chairman of Arora Group and Director of HWL, accepted the government’s decision in a statement, while stressing that the company will remain in the running to deliver the final plans.
“Our main driver for an alternative runway proposal was to avoid the M25 and bring down both risks and costs of the expansion scheme.
“However, that decision has now been made, and we are firm supporters of expansion so will back its progress.
“We are now reviewing how our plans will be adjusted to the longer runway scheme with the intention that we commence our own Development Consent Order.”
He added that the Civil Aviation Authority’s upcoming review of Heathrow Airport’s regulation must ensure that competition is still provided.
“Aside from the runway length, we have long argued that regulatory reform and the introduction of competition at Heathrow Airport is absolutely imperative to keep costs under control at the airport.
“Heathrow Airport has the most expensive charges in the world, and adding HAL’s proposed costs of expansion to these already high costs jeopardises the future of the airport as a globally competitive hub, and its ability to aid the UK’s economic growth agenda.”
Flights are set to take off from the runway by 2035, while a final planning decision will take place by 2029.
