Heathrow expansion: What is the third runway plan? By Tom Edgington

BBC News Published duration 28 February Related Topics Heathrow Airport expansion

image copyright PA Media

Plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport face an uncertain future after the Court of Appeal said the government's decision to allow it was unlawful.

The idea to expand Heathrow has been talked about for many years and while many businesses support it, the plan has also attracted a lot of opposition from environmentalists and local residents.

What is the Heathrow expansion plan?

Heathrow is already the UK's busiest airport, serving about 80 million passengers per year. The airport currently has four terminals and two runways.

If the plan had been given the green light, construction of a new runway was expected to be completed between 2028 and 2029.

Building the new runway would involve diverting rivers, moving roads and rerouting the M25 through a tunnel under the new runway.

But that would not be the end of the project. Work was expected to continue until 2050, with extensive upgrades to the existing terminals two and five as well as plans for new car parks.

Heathrow Airport had said the project would be funded privately.

What were the arguments for a third runway?

More than 40% of the UK's exports to non-EU countries now go through Heathrow, according to its chief executive John Holland-Kaye. He said a third runway was vital in order to strengthen international trade links.

"If we don't expand our only hub airport, then we're going to be flying through Paris to get to global markets."

Heathrow Airport had also said it would introduce legally-binding environmental targets - including on noise, air quality and carbon emissions.

What are the arguments against?

Local and environmental groups have dismissed Heathrow Airport's assurances and have argued that a new runway would mean unacceptable levels of noise and pollution, as well as adding to the UK's carbon emissions from the increased number of flights.

The proposal also "makes a mockery" of the government's 2050 carbon neutral strategy, according to Green MP Caroline Lucas.

Rupa Huq - the Labour MP for neighbouring Ealing Central and Acton - had labelled the plan "completely nuts" and said: "Heathrow is the biggest emitter of carbon dioxide in Europe."

image copyright PA image caption Anti-expansion protesters have mounted legal challenges against the government

Campaign groups have also voiced opposition.

"The impact on local people could be severe for many years to come" said John Stewart, who chairs the Hacan group.

"Disruption from construction, the demolition of homes, the reality of more than 700 extra planes a day."

Heathrow had said it would pay the full market value plus 25% for properties in its compulsory purchase zone, as well as for some houses in the surrounding areas.

When was a third runway first proposed?

The third runway plan has been talked about for many years.

The issue had put Prime Minister Boris Johnson in an awkward position - especially as his Uxbridge and South Ruislip seat is next to Heathrow.

In 2015, he said: "I will lie down with you in front of those bulldozers and stop the construction of that third runway."

However, when MPs voted in favour of the third runway in 2018, Mr Johnson - who was foreign secretary at the time - missed the vote as he was travelling to Afghanistan.

The Labour government approved a third runway in 2009, with former Prime Minister Gordon Brown saying it was needed for economic reasons.

But the plan was later scrapped by the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government in 2010. David Cameron, who became prime minister after Mr Brown, ruled out a Heathrow expansion "no ifs, no buts".

image copyright Getty Images image caption Five years ago Mr Johnson said he would lie down in front of bulldozers to stop a third runway being built

A year after the commission's report was published, the government approved the plan under Theresa May's leadership.

However, the decision caused some disquiet within the Conservative Party. Zac Goldsmith - the MP for Richmond Park - resigned his seat in protest.

The Conservatives' 2019 election manifesto says that while the third runway is a private project, Heathrow must demonstrate it can meet its air quality and noise obligations.

What happens next?

On 27 February 2020, the Court of Appeal ruled the decision to allow the expansion was unlawful because it did not take climate commitments into account.

The judges said that in future, a third runway could go ahead, as long as it fits with the UK's climate policy.

Not surprisingly, Heathrow bosses want to keep alive the plans for the redevelopment and believe that they can.

A spokesman said they were confident an appeal to the Supreme Court "will be successful" and added they would work with the government in overcoming obstacles to the plans.

However, local politicians said they hoped it would prove to be the end for the scheme.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said the right choice for the government was to abandon the plan.