Policy information sourced from the Hounslow Local Plan Part 1

EC3 - HEATHROW AIRPORT

Our approach

We will encourage a more sustainable Heathrow Airport by working with the airport operator and other partners to reduce environmental impacts, whilst recognising the role of the airport in the local economy.

We will achieve this by

  • Opposing the future expansion of Heathrow Airport, including additional runway and terminal capacity;
  • Opposing the removal of the air transport movement limit at Heathrow Airport of 480,000 per annum;
  • Giving due consideration to the International Civil Aviation Authority’s Guidance on the Balanced Approach to Aircraft Noise Management when making decisions regarding the airport or those parts of the borough effected by the airport;
  • Considering the outcomes of the government’s Airports Commission with regard to Heathrow Airport, and respond by revising the borough’s spatial strategy if necessary;
  • Promoting increased surface access provision to Heathrow Airport, by working with partners to improve public transport connections and cycle infrastructure, and utilising the road network more efficiently;
  • Supporting initiatives that promote modal shift towards the more sustainable forms of transport to and from Heathrow Airport; and
  • Recognising and utilising the important role Heathrow Airport plays in stimulating economic growth in the borough.

We will expect development proposals to

  • Demonstrate that air and noise pollution from aircraft movements, the airport’s infrastructure and transport to and from the airport avoid adverse impacts on the borough;
  • Assess and illustrate the noise impacts of any development proposal, including the use of alternative noise metrics (i.e. alternative in addition to the dB LAeq 16h);
  • Demonstrate that all reasonable steps have been taken to reduce the risk of safety related incidents occurring;
  • Demonstrate that adverse impacts on the Green Belt, Metropolitan Open Land, open space and biodiversity are avoided;
  • Demonstrate that adverse impacts on the borough’s transport network and the wider strategic transport network are avoided;
  • Have a positive impact on the local economy; and
  • Be complaint with the government’s Circular 01/2010 on control of development in airport Public Safety Zones.

For more information please see the Hounslow Local Plan Part 1