Heathrow Airport expansion
Increasing airport capacity in the south-east of England.
Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement
The draft Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement (HENPS) provides the basis for decision making on any proposal to expand Heathrow. If finalised, the policies within it will have effect in relation to applications for development consent for a new Northwest Runway at Heathrow Airport.
Draft Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement consultation
The government is seeking views on proposed amendments to the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS). This includes changing the name of the ANPS to the Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement (HENPS) to better reflect its purpose.
The draft HENPS applies only to expansion at Heathrow Airport through a Northwest Runway scheme and takes into consideration surface access (road and rail links to Heathrow Airport), economic, social and environmental considerations related to its proposed expansion.
Review of the 2018 Designated Airports National Policy Statement
Since the designation of the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS) in 2018, significant global, policy and legislative changes have occurred. Changes to the National Policy Statement (NPS) process have also been introduced through the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025, requiring NPSs to be reviewed and updated at least every 5 years.
The government is reviewing the 2018 ANPS to reflect these changes and ensure it aligns with the government’s four tests for Heathrow expansion on climate change, noise, air quality and economic growth across the country.
2018 Designated Airports National Policy Statement
The designated Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS) sets out:
- the need for additional airport capacity in the south-east of England
- why government believes that need is best met by a Northwest Runway at Heathrow Airport
- the specific requirements that an applicant for a new Northwest Runway would need to meet to gain development consent
On 5 June 2018 the proposed ANPS was laid before Parliament.
On 25 June 2018, the House of Commons held a debate and vote on the proposed ANPS.
On 26 June 2018, following approval of the statement by the House of Commons, the Secretary of State formally designated it as a National Policy Statement under section 5(1) of the Planning Act 2008.
Alongside the designated ANPS, the government has published a Post adoption statement and a Relationship framework document. This sets out how it will work with Heathrow Airport Limited to deliver the new runway.
To progress airport expansion, the scheme’s developer must submit detailed proposals for planning consent to the Planning Inspectorate.
Why we chose a Northwest Runway at Heathrow
The government’s preferred scheme for meeting the need for additional airport capacity in the south-east of England is a new Northwest Runway at Heathrow Airport.
Airports National Policy Statement on a proposed a new runway at Heathrow
Listening to views and Parliamentary scrutiny
From 2 February to 25 May 2017 the government ran a consultation asking for views on the need for increased airport capacity and on the draft Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS).
Between 24 October and 19 December 2017 a further period of consultation was conducted on a revised draft to take into account new evidence that wasn’t available during the original consultation.
The government published a response to both these consultations.
Further analysis of the revised draft ANPS was also carried out through a Transport Committee inquiry. Overall, they concluded that the government was right to pursue the option of the new Northwest Runway at Heathrow. The government has published a response to the Transport Committee inquiry.
After taking into account the consultation responses and the report and recommendations of the Transport Committee, the government remains of the view that new runway capacity is needed in the south-east and that the Heathrow Northwest Runway scheme is the best option for delivering it.
Judicial review
Between 11 and 22 March 2019 the government was in the High Court to defend against legal challenges in a judicial review process.
On 1 May 2019 the High Court ruled in favour of the government on all grounds.
Full court transcripts are available from each day of the hearing.
ANPS Appraisal of Sustainability and supporting documents
An appraisal of the potential social, economic and environmental impacts of the policy set out in the proposed Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS) and options recommended for mitigating potential impacts.
Social research
Updates to this page
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Draft Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement published.
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Added the decision on requests to review the Airports National Policy Statement.
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Added Community Compensation Fund: social and behavioural research.
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Added written ministerial statement on High Court's judgements in the judicial review of the Airports National Policy Statement.
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Designation of the Airports National Policy Statement.
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Proposed Airports National Policy Statement.
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Consultation on the revised draft Airports National Policy Statement.
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Update on draft Airports National Policy Statement process.
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Update on progress on the Airports National Policy Statement.
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Draft Airports National Policy Statement update.
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Information boards from the consultation information events.
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Consultation on the draft Airports National Policy Statement.
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First published.