Royal Borough responding to Airports Commission consultation
The council is responding to the Airports Commission regarding its long term capacity consultation by reaffirming its position that it is against expansion at Heathrow Airport.
There are three proposals that the Airports Commission is currently looking at:
- a proposal from Gatwick Airport Ltd for an additional runway to the south of the existing runway at Gatwick Airport
- a proposal from Heathrow Airport Ltd for an additional runway to the north west of the existing northern runway at Heathrow Airport
- a proposal from Heathrow Hub Ltd for an extension to the existing northern runway at Heathrow Airport to operate as two separate runways
The Royal Borough supports the Gatwick option on economic grounds and continues to support the position made by West Sussex County Council.
Cllr George Bathurst, chairman of the aviation forum and cabinet member for policy and performance, said: “We are urging Government to take into account the unacceptable noise that our residents already suffer, particularly at night, and if Heathrow Airport was allowed to expand this would get dramatically worse.
“Both Heathrow expansion options would also cause substantial harm to our world famous heritage including Windsor Castle and Eton College.
“We are backing Gatwick Airport expansion for the stronger economic growth it would create. It is more practical, more deliverable and will give our residents and the UK more choice and competition. We want to see Heathrow Airport as a better not a bigger airport.
“As a local authority we have responded to the Airports Commission’s consultation but residents are also encouraged to respond on an individual basis before 3 February.”
The Airports Commission (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/airports-commission) requests that all submissions be received by Tuesday 3 February 2015, but will not be putting forward their recommendation before central Government until at least summer 2015.
The next Aviation Forum takes place at Windsor Guildhall on Thursday 8 January from 7pm where the draft submission will be discussed and the way in which the Borough will be finding out what residents think about potential expansion at Heathrow Airport.
The Borough continues to encourage residents to complain every time that they are disturbed by noise via Heathrow’s online reporting facility (http://www.heathrowairport.com/noise/help/contact-us), by email at noise_complaints@heathrow.com or by telephone on 0800 344 844.
Residents can also share their experience of aviation noise via our website, as this is valuable evidence in the planning process.
Heathrow Hub to hold public exhibitions | Heathrow Hub is holding public exhibitions in the Royal Borough to give residents the opportunity to see its proposals for potential expansion at Heathrow Airport.
The Airports Commission is currently looking at three proposals for long-term airport capacity. These are:
- from Heathrow Airport Ltd for an additional runway to the north west of the existing northern runway at Heathrow Airport
- from Heathrow Hub Ltd for an extension to the existing northern runway at Heathrow Airport to operate as two separate runways
- from Gatwick Airport Ltd for an additional runway to the south of the existing runway at Gatwick Airport
The public exhibitions will give residents the chance to meet members of the Heathrow Hub team and talk about their proposals. Residents can give their feedback to the Airports Commission’s consultation by Tuesday 3rd February.
The public exhibition events are being held on:
- Tuesday 13 January – Datchet Village Hall, 3 Allen Way – 1 to 8pm
- Wednesday 14 January – Wraysbury Village Hall, The Green, Wraysbury – 1 to 8pm
- Monday 19 January – Windsor Leisure Centre, Clewer Mead, Stovell Road – 1 to 8pm