Last checked at 11 May 2016 07:10
Heathrow exceeds Airports Commission's package of conditions, so Prime Minister can make the "right choice" for Britain and approve a third runway
· Airports Commission unanimously recommended Heathrow expansion
· Heathrow will exceed the overall package of conditions the Commission set
· Measures include support for an early introduction of ban on scheduled flights for six and a half hours every night after expansion planning consent received and the necessary airspace is modernised
· Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye writes to the Prime Minister with a plan which will enable the Government to make the right choice for Britain, delivering up to £211bn in economic benefit and 180,000 jobs by approving a third runway
Heathrow has announced it will meet and, in most cases, exceed the conditions set out in the Airports Commission's recommendation for Heathrow expansion.
In July last year, the independent Airports Commission unanimously and unambiguously recommended expanding Heathrow, after a three year, £20 million study into the best option for maintaining the UK's global aviation hub status.
Today, Heathrow Chief Executive John Holland-Kaye has written to the Prime Minister setting out a world leading, ambitious and affordable plan which balances the huge national and local economic gain from expansion with the environmental impacts. Highlighting Heathrow's place as a "cornerstone" of Britain's economic security for the last 70 years and a symbol of an outward looking country, he said:
"You set up the Airports Commission and it unanimously recommended expanding Heathrow. You demanded ambitious plans from my team to deliver expansion with a bold and fair deal for our neighbours.
"Today, I am proud to submit a comprehensive plan that meets and exceeds your demands. This is a big commitment from us, but it is the right choice for the country, local communities and jobs across Britain.
"We have acted now to let you and your government make the right choice, in the long term interest of our country. It will enable you to choose Heathrow and secure a stronger economy and Britain's place in the world.
"Expanding Heathrow can help Britain win thousands more jobs and ensure that future generations have the same economic opportunity that we have enjoyed. "
Heathrow is committed to working with airlines to deliver an expanded Heathrow that is affordable for passengers and airlines, whilst giving the fairest deal to local communities. Its formal response to the Commission includes:
· The introduction of a ban by Government on scheduled flights for six and a half hours between 2300 and 0530 - an increase from five hours today - and supporting the earlier introduction of the ban after planning consent is received and the necessary airspace has been modernised.
· A proposal for the Environment Agency to be given the role of an independent aviation air quality authority, to provide transparent scrutiny of the measures Heathrow will introduce to enable it to expand only in accordance with air quality rules.
· Establishing an Education and Skills Taskforce that will identify how best to develop the airport's future skilled workforce and to create a legacy for UK infrastructure projects.
-- Ends --
Notes to editors:
The response to all of the conditions:
NIGHT FLIGHTS. "Following construction of a third runway there should be a ban on all scheduled night flights in the period 11:30 pm to 6 am" | Meeting the Airports Commission The introduction of a legally binding ban on all scheduled night flights for six and a half hours (as recommended by the Airports Commission) from 11 pm to 5:30 am when the third runway opens.
Exceeding the Airports Commission We will support the earlier introduction of this extended ban on night flights by Government as soon as the necessary airspace has been modernised after planning consent for the third runway has been secured.
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NOISE ENVELOPE: "A clear 'noise envelope' to be agreed, and legally enforced" | Meeting the Airports Commission Consult on and establish a clear and legally binding noise envelope for the third runway that will give certainty to local people.
Exceeding the Airports Commission We will support the introduction of an independent noise authority, and a system for the independent regular review of the noise envelope framework and targets to incentivise a reduction in aircraft noise over time. |
RESPITE: "Predictable respite to be more reliably maintained" | Meeting the Airports Commission Maintain more predictable periods of respite and publish a publicly available timetable of respite for different areas under the flight path so local people know exactly when no planes will fly over their homes.
Exceeding the Airports Commission We will ensure there will be some respite for everyone living under the final flight path by using advances in navigational technology. We will consult and provide options on our proposals to alternate use of the runways.
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PROPERTY COMPENSATION: "Compensate those who would lose their homes at full market value plus an additional 25% and reasonable costs. Heathrow should make this offer available as soon as possible." | Meeting the Airports Commission Compensate those who would lose their homes at full market value plus an additional 25% above their unblighted market value plus legal fees, stamp duty and moving costs. We will introduce the full scheme after receipt of planning consent. We will extend this offer to a further 3,750 properties close to the compulsory purchase zone, offering local residents the option to move to a new home. After a Government decision has been taken, we will introduce a Hardship Scheme.
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COMMUNITY COMPENSATION: "Heathrow should spend more than £1bn on community compensation. In addition, a new aviation noise charge or levy should be introduced to ensure that airport users pay more to compensate local communities" | Meeting the Airports Commission Spend over £1bn on community compensation (noise and property) and support the introduction of a scheme to ensure that airport users pay to compensate local communities for the impacts of the airport.
Exceeding the Airports Commission We will begin funding compensation for local communities from the day when planning consent is granted and we will work with local authorities to ensure we help those most severely affected.
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COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT BOARD: "Establishment of a Community Engagement Board, under an independent Chair, with real influence over spending on compensation and community support and over the airport's operations | Meeting the Airports Commission Establish an independent Community Engagement Board, under an independent Chair, which will have real influence over how Heathrow meets these conditions.
Exceeding the Airports Commission We will set up this new Board after the Government approves Heathrow expansion. We would propose a number of the members are those who have campaigned for the best possible deal for local residents. |
INDEPENDENT AVIATION NOISE AUTHORITY: "Creation of an independent aviation noise authority with a statutory right to be consulted on flight paths and other operating procedures."
| Meeting the Airports Commission Back the creation of an independent aviation noise authority with statutory powers.
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PROVISION OF TRAINING AND APPRENTICESHIPS: "Provision of training opportunities and apprenticeships for local people so that nearby communities benefit from jobs in constructing and operating the new infrastructure" | Meeting the Airports Commission Provide training opportunities and apprenticeships for local people so that nearby communities benefit from jobs in constructing and operating the new infrastructure.
Exceeding the Airports Commission Immediately following a Government decision to expand Heathrow, we will establish an Education and Skills Taskforce that will identify how best to develop the airport's future skilled workforce and to create a legacy for UK infrastructure projects. We will double the number of apprenticeships at Heathrow to 10,000 by the time the runway is operational. We will work with local councils and communities to ensure that as many as possible of the 40,000 new jobs at the airport go to those living nearby, aiming to end youth unemployment in those Boroughs closest to the airport.
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MODE SHARE: "Incentivisation of a major shift in mode share for those working at and arriving at the airport, through measures including new rail investments and a continuing focus on employee behaviour change. A congestion charge should also be considered." | Meeting the Airports Commission Incentivise a major shift in mode share for those working at and arriving at the airport through measures including new rail investments and a continuing focus on employee behaviour change and including the consideration of a congestion or emissions charge.
Exceeding the Airports Commission An increase in the number and frequency of trains; our commitment to increase the routes and regularity of bus and coach services serving local employees; and our support for local cycling will mean that there will be no more airport related traffic on the roads after the new runway opens than today.
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AIR QUALITY: "Additional operations at an expanded Heathrow must be contingent on acceptable performance on air quality. New capacity will be released when it is clear that air quality at sites around the airport will not delay compliance with EU limits."
| Meeting the Airports Commission Additional operations at an expanded Heathrow will be contingent on acceptable performance on air quality and will be in accordance with air quality rules. New capacity at an expanded airport will not be released unless we can do so without delaying UK compliance with EU air quality limits.
Exceeding the Airports Commission We will create an ultra-low emissions zone for airport vehicles by 2025. We will develop plans for an emissions charging scheme for all vehicles accessing the airport to encourage low-emission technology and fund sustainable transport. To provide further confidence, we propose that the Environment Agency be given the role of an independent aviation air quality authority, to provide transparent scrutiny of our plans. |
FOURTH RUNWAY: "Ruling out any fourth runway. The government should make a commitment in Parliament not to expand the airport further." | Meeting the Airports Commission Accept a commitment from Government ruling out any fourth runway.
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Full text of letter to the Prime Minister:
Dear Prime Minister,
For seventy years, Heathrow has been our global gateway; a cornerstone of our economic security. Heathrow has been Britain's airport, creating many thousands of jobs, connecting families and nations; a symbol of an outward looking country.
We must now build new runway capacity at Heathrow to keep Britain's economy strong in the next seventy years. We know it is not enough to just hope for a stronger economy; you need to choose it.
You set up the Airports Commission and it unanimously recommended expanding Heathrow. You demanded ambitious plans from my team to deliver expansion with a bold and fair deal for our neighbours.
Today, I am proud to submit a comprehensive plan that meets and exceeds your demands. This is a big commitment from us, but it is the right choice for the country, local communities and jobs across Britain.
We have acted now to let you and your government make the right choice, in the long term interest of our country. It will enable you to choose Heathrow and secure a stronger economy and Britain's place in the world.
Expanding Heathrow can help Britain win thousands more jobs and ensure that future generations have the same economic opportunity that we have enjoyed.
Yours
John Holland-Kaye