Heathrow Airport expansion: Feb 2025 update

Specialist CPO solicitor, Catherine Hibbert, takes a look at the current status of the proposed expansion of Heathrow airport.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has confirmed her Government’s intention that a third runway at Heathrow Airport should become operational within a decade - i.e. by 2035 - as one element of Labour plans to stimulate growth in the UK economy.

This clear public statement of support is no doubt intended to give confidence to intended investors; the hope being that a construction project of this scale will create many new jobs and grow the UK supply chain and that, once operational, the new runway will support the creation of further jobs, and stimulate trade, tourism and inward investment.

This proposal remains controversial, not least for local residents, local authorities and environmental groups, and will have to meet the strict environmental safeguards as to noise, air quality and carbon which are set out in the current Airports National Policy Statement.

Following the Chancellor’s statement, Heathrow CEO Thomas Woldbye commented that plans for the third runway will be submitted to the Government this summer and that ahead of that Heathrow has committed to a £2.3 billion investment plan to improve service, resilience, passenger experience within the existing airport boundary as a pathway to the introduction of a third runway.

It is therefore anticipated that an application for development consent to authorise the construction of the new runway will be submitted to the Secretary of State; members of the public will have the opportunity to comment on or object to the proposals and/ or participate in any associated public examination before any Development Consent Order is formally confirmed.

If you are concerned about the proposals and the impact they might have on your property, please do not hesitate to contact one of our dedicated team of specialist development consent order and compulsory purchase solicitors for advice.