Open consultation

Draft Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement: consultation on proposed amendments

Published 18 June 2026

Ministerial foreword

A modern, outward-looking United Kingdom needs world-class transport infrastructure. Our ability to trade, attract investment, welcome visitors, move goods, and connect people depends in part on having the airport capacity and international connectivity that a growing economy requires.

Heathrow is the United Kingdom’s only major hub airport. It connects businesses and communities across the country to global markets, supports high-value freight, underpins tourism and investment, and plays a central role in the resilience of our national aviation system. But Heathrow has operated at or near capacity for many years. As demand for aviation grows over the decades ahead, constraints at our hub airport risk limiting the opportunities available to businesses, passengers and communities across the United Kingdom.

I believe that expansion at Heathrow has the potential to deliver substantial national benefits: stronger global connectivity, greater resilience, more freight capacity, improved opportunities for trade and investment, and economic growth across the country. That is why the government has been clear that additional capacity at Heathrow is a priority.

But expansion can only proceed if it is delivered in the right way. It must be supported by a robust, up-to-date planning policy framework, informed by the latest evidence and capable of ensuring that any future scheme is properly assessed against the standards the public would expect.

That is why, in October 2025, I decided to review the Airports National Policy Statement, which was designated in 2018. Since then, there have been significant developments in aviation demand, economic circumstances, environmental policy, climate obligations, legislation and the evidence base for airport expansion. The review has considered those changes carefully. It has concluded that the existing policy statement should be amended and renamed the Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement, to make clear that it applies to expansion at Heathrow and its associated infrastructure.

The draft Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement sets out the proposed planning framework against which any future application for development consent would be considered. It reflects the government’s four tests for Heathrow expansion: economic growth, climate change, air quality and noise. My position is clear: expansion should only proceed if it can demonstrate that it will contribute to economic growth across the country and meet the government’s requirements on climate, air quality and noise.

The proposed amendments also recognise the strategic importance of Heathrow expansion by designating development covered by the draft policy statement as Critical National Growth Infrastructure. This reflects the importance the government places on the need for additional hub airport capacity and the contribution expansion could make to national economic growth.

At the same time, I recognise that expansion would bring significant impacts as well as opportunities. Communities around Heathrow have legitimate concerns about noise, air quality, surface access, disruption, land, compensation, health, and the local environment. Those concerns must be taken seriously. Any future scheme would need to demonstrate through the statutory planning process how impacts on people, places and the environment would be avoided, reduced, mitigated or, where appropriate, compensated.

It is also important to be clear about what this consultation does and does not do. The draft Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement does not grant development consent. It does not approve any specific scheme. Any future application would remain subject to the statutory development consent order process, including detailed examination by the Planning Inspectorate and a final decision by the Secretary of State.

This consultation is therefore an important opportunity to shape the policy framework before any final decision is taken on whether to designate an amended National Policy Statement. I want to hear from local communities, businesses, local authorities, environmental organisations, industry, passenger groups, freight interests and all those with evidence or views on the proposals.

The government will consider all responses carefully before deciding whether to proceed with designation. Any final Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement will be published, laid before Parliament, and subject to a vote in the House of Commons before having legal effect.

Heathrow expansion is a decision of national importance. It requires ambition, responsibility and proper scrutiny. This consultation is an important part of that process, and I encourage everyone with an interest to take part.

Heidi Alexander
Secretary of State for Transport

Consultation description

The Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS) was designated in June 2018 and sets out the need, and policies for, any development consent order proposals relating to airport expansion at Heathrow, through the delivery of a Northwest Runway.

On 22 October 2025, the Secretary of State for Transport launched a review of the ANPS. The review has been conducted in line with guidance on the NPS review process published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. Consideration was given to whether significant changes in circumstance necessitated broader changes to the NPS as set out in section 6(4) of the Planning Act 2008 (the 2008 Act).

Consideration was then given to whether the NPS should be withdrawn, amended or remain as is, in line with the requirements of section 6(5) of the 2008 Act. The review determined that the existing ANPS should be amended.

As part of that review, the Department for Transport (DfT) is seeking views on proposed amendments to the ANPS. Following this consultation and Parliamentary scrutiny of any amendments to the ANPS, the Secretary of State may decide to amend the ANPS. The amended statement will be published and laid in Parliament, and will be subject to a vote in the House of Commons, prior to having legal affect. The ANPS continues to have full legal effect until any such designation of an amended statement.

One of the amendments proposed 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 (i.e. road and rail links to Heathrow Airport), economic, social and environmental considerations related to its proposed expansion. The draft HENPS applies to applications for development consent that cover any of the following criteria:

• a Northwest Runway having a runway length up to 3,500m and forming part of a scheme which, on completion, is capable of enabling at least 260,000 additional air transport movements (ATMs) per annum
• any new terminal infrastructure or the reconfiguration of terminal facilities associated with the Northwest Runway at Heathrow Airport
• any associated infrastructure, surface access facilities and changes to the strategic road network

This consultation seeks views on the draft amendments to the ANPS as set out in the draft HENPS, and the consultation questions are listed in the consultation questions section.

This consultation also seeks views on the supporting documents published with the draft HENPS. These documents are listed in full in the supporting documents section.

Introduction

National Policy Statements (NPSs) are designated under the Planning Act 2008 to provide guidance for decision makers on the application of government policy when determining development consent for major infrastructure.

Its function is to set out for the relevant sector the need for new or expanded infrastructure, as well as detailed guidance on how impacts of developments are to be assessed and impacts mitigated. It sets out the policy against which the relevant Secretary of State (in this case the Secretary of State for Transport) makes decisions on applications for development consent for nationally significant infrastructure projects and bring together a range of social, environmental and economic policies with the objective of contributing to the achievement of sustainable development.

In setting out the government’s policies, NPSs are intended to provide clarity and certainty for scheme promoters and remove the need for lengthy planning inquiry consideration of fundamental questions at the application stage.

NPSs must undergo a process of public consultation and Parliamentary scrutiny before being formally designated.

The current ANPS was designated in 2018 and sets out the government’s approach to increasing airport capacity through a Northwest Runway scheme at Heathrow, and the policy against which the Secretary of State for Transport will make decisions on applications for delivering the Northwest Runway.

On 22 October 2025, the Secretary of State formally launched a review of the ANPS in an oral statement to Parliament, setting out that the revised NPS will reflect any changes in legislation, policy and data since the ANPS was designated and to ensure that any proposed scheme meets the government’s four tests on economic growth, climate, air quality and noise.

On 25 November 2025, the Secretary of State, in a written statement to Parliament, set out that Heathrow Airport Limited’s (HAL’s) proposal (the Northwest Runway scheme) would inform the ANPS review, as it offers the most credible and deliverable option, principally due to:

• the relative maturity of its proposal
• the comparative level of confidence in the feasibility and resilience of its surface access plans
• the stronger comfort it provides in relation to the efficient, resilient and sustainable operations of the airport over the long-term

The review of the ANPS has now been undertaken and amendments to the NPS have been informed by the following:

• updated analysis and data set out in the UK aviation forecast, Heathrow expansion appraisal report (HEAR) and computable general equilibrium (CGE) modelling documents
• changes to legislation and policy since 2018, including important changes to climate and environmental obligations
• an Appraisal of Sustainability (AoS), Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA), Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) and Health Impact Analysis (HIAn)
• the government’s four tests on air quality, noise, climate change and economic growth

Transitional arrangements

The Secretary of State has decided that until any amended HENPS is designated, the 2018 ANPS should have effect. Once the HENPS is published and designated, it will replace the ANPS.

However, the draft HENPS may be capable of being an important and relevant consideration in the decision-making process. The extent to which it is relevant is a matter for the relevant Secretary of State to consider within the framework of the 2008 Act and with regard to the specific circumstances of each development consent order (DCO) application.

Draft HENPS summary

The following sections outline the key changes made to the ANPS to form the draft HENPS as part of the review process, and the rationale for making them.

Amendments have been made throughout the document to reflect:

• updated analysis and data set out in the UK aviation forecast, HEAR and CGE modelling documents, that will be published alongside the draft HENPS
• changes to legislation and policy since 2018, including important changes to climate and environmental obligations
• the AoS, HRA, EqIA and HIAn that will be published alongside the draft HENPS
• the government’s four tests on air quality, noise, climate and economic growth

Chapter 1: introduction

Chapter 1 of the draft HENPS is introductory. It explains:

• the document’s purpose and scope
• its relationship with other key documents
• the development it covers
• its geographical coverage
• its duration

It also provides a summary of the findings of the:

• Appraisal of Sustainability (AoS)
• Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA)
• Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA)
• Health Impact Analysis (HIAn)
• Environmental Principles Policy Statement

Background and purpose and scope of the draft HENPS

The document has been renamed the HENPS. Updates have been made to make the purpose and scope of the draft HENPS clearer up front, setting out that the draft HENPS applies to applications for development consent that cover any of the following criteria:

• a Northwest Runway having a runway length up to 3,500m and forming part of a scheme which, on completion, is capable of enabling at least 260,000 additional air transport movements (ATMs) per annum
• any new terminal infrastructure or the reconfiguration of terminal facilities associated with the Northwest Runway at Heathrow Airport
• any associated infrastructure, surface access facilities and changes to the strategic road network

Relationship between the draft HENPS and aviation policy

Updates have been made to clarify that the draft HENPS has direct effect to Heathrow expansion only. The 2018 Making Best Use (MBU) policy states that it does not apply to Heathrow and that the government continues to consider MBU relevant and important policy for all UK airports beyond Heathrow. The draft HENPS also sets out the government’s intention to consider updating MBU policy to ensure it reflects the latest data, policy and legislation.

Scheme

The government recognises that the Heathrow Northwest Runway scheme currently promoted by Heathrow Airport Limited, and which has informed this NPS, is not limited to the construction of a new runway and associated new terminal infrastructure. It also includes the modernisation, reconfiguration and integration of existing terminal and airport infrastructure required to enable the airport to operate effectively as an expanded and integrated whole.

As a result, the scheme now envisaged is of substantial scale and complexity, both in its physical extent and in the way it would need to be delivered while maintaining the continued operation of Heathrow Airport.

Other changes to chapter 1

Other parts of the draft text have been updated and amended to:

• provide background information of the aviation sector in the UK and major world events (e.g. COVID-19) since the designation of the previous ANPS in 2018
• remove outdated sections such as a reference to the European Union, now that EU exit is complete
• reflect the changes implemented through the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 to review NPSs at least every 5 years
• make clearer the purpose and scope of the HENPS, being for development relating to Heathrow Expansion
• updates to the sections concerning the supplementary assessment documents on AoS, HRA, HIAn and EqIA, to bring them in line with latest conclusions

Chapter 2: the need for additional airport capacity

Chapter 2 sets out the need for additional airport capacity at Heathrow Airport. It sets out the importance of aviation to the UK economy, the capacity constraints facing the sector and establishes that there is a compelling need for new airport capacity at Heathrow Airport. This also sets out the case for designating the Heathrow Expansion as Critical National Growth Infrastructure (CNGI) and rules out supporting a fourth runway.

The need for new airport capacity at Heathrow

The needs case has been updated to provide greater clarity on the specific reasons why the government has concluded that there is still a clear need for new airport capacity at Heathrow. This includes further information on the benefits of the scheme to freight and resilience and informed by latest analysis from the UK aviation forecast, Heathrow expansion appraisal report and the Spatial computable general equilibrium (SCGE) modelling.

Critical National Growth Infrastructure

The document includes a new policy that development covered by the draft HENPS is designated as critical national growth infrastructure, because of the clear need for expansion at Heathrow, and the economic and strategic benefits it could provide. Detail on how that policy would apply to any development consent application is set out in detail at chapter four of the draft HENPS.

Other changes to chapter 2

Other parts of the draft text have been updated and amended to:

• remove sections not relevant to Heathrow expansion
• remove the section in the ANPS on alternatives to Heathrow expansion
• include a section on ruling out a fourth runway in this chapter rather than in chapter 5 as is currently set out in the 2018 ANPS

Chapter 3: the case for the Heathrow Northwest Runway scheme

Chapter 3 of the draft HENPS sets out a summary and the conclusions drawn from the 2025 scheme assessment process, that the HAL Northwest Runway scheme would inform the review.

This is a new chapter in the draft HENPS that replaces the ‘The government’s preferred scheme: Heathrow Northwest Runway’ chapter in the 2018 ANPS:

• the 2018 designated ANPS sets out why the government’s preferred scheme in the South East of England was the ‘Heathrow Northwest Runway’, but this has now been amended to focus on which scheme at Heathrow Airport is the most viable and credible option for expansion, based on the 2025 scheme assessment process
• the chapter now focuses on the assessment of information supplied by HAL and Heathrow West Limited

Chapter 4: assessment principles

Chapter 4 sets out general policies in accordance with which applications covered by the draft HENPS are to be decided.

The draft text has been updated and amended to:

• include a new section on the designation of infrastructure critical to the developments under the draft HENPS as CNGI, including how it should be considered by the decision maker
• include new sections on biodiversity net gain and place making to reflect latest legislation, policy and guidance
• set out updated boundaries of locations that will be subject to development of Heathrow expansion, as specified in the draft HENPS – it is these areas where the assessment principles will apply
• wording changes to sections on the EqIA, HRA, equalities, ‘Good Design’ criteria, costs, climate change adaptation, health and accessibility to bring the draft HENPS in line with the latest policy and legislation

Chapter 5: assessment of impacts

Chapter 5 provides guidance on impacts that are relevant to any development proposals covered by the draft HENPS, and sets out how these impacts should be considered. Changes have been made to make it clear how any proposed scheme will need to meet the government’s four tests for expansion at Heathrow, on:

• air quality
• noise
• climate change
• economic growth

Air quality

The air quality section has been updated to reflect new legislation set through the Environment Act 2021: the Environmental Targets (Fine Particulate Matter) Regulations 2023 (the 2023 regulations). It also reflects updated indicative analysis carried out to review emissions source data and trends for road and aircraft related activity around Heathrow Airport since the 2018 ANPS was designated and includes consideration of new air quality targets set through the 2023 regulations. The applicant’s assessment and mitigations sections have been updated to reflect the latest policy, guidance and data.

The decision-making section has been updated to add the government’s test for air quality, which is that with appropriate mitigation the scheme would not cause air quality impacts that result in any new breaches or make existing breaches materially worse than legal obligations on air quality. This includes not exceeding standards set through the 2010 regulations or hindering the government’s ability to achieve compliance with the 2023 regulations.

Noise

The noise section has been updated to reflect the government’s overarching aviation noise policy published in 2023 and describes updated analysis of the potential noise impacts of the Northwest Runway scheme used to inform the draft HENPS. The mitigations have been updated with respect to the noise limits used. The proposed noise limits are in line with current policy (51dB for daytime noise, 45dB for nighttime noise).

Other mitigations including that an applicant must put forward plans for a noise envelope, runway alternation scheme and a ban on scheduled night flights are unchanged. We are however inviting views on the definition of scheduled night flights through this consultation. The decision-making section has been updated to add the government’s test for noise, which is that overall aircraft noise must be limited, and where reasonably possible, reduced compared to a 2024 baseline taking account of quieter aircraft and operating procedures.

Climate change

The climate change section has been renamed from ‘carbon emissions’ to ‘climate change mitigation’ to reflect the inclusion of aviation’s non-CO2 impacts. This section reflects changes in climate change legislation and policy since 2018 and describes updated analysis on the carbon impact of Heathrow expansion, and how this is factored into carbon budget planning.

The applicant’s assessment section has been updated to provide clarity on how scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas emissions should be included in an applicant’s assessment. The mitigations have been updated in line with latest policy, data and guidance for air travel, ground movements and airport operations, surface access and construction emissions.

The decision-making section has been updated to add the government’s test for climate change mitigation, which is that the increase in carbon emissions resulting from any proposed scheme must not be so significant that it would have a material impact on the ability of the government to meet its carbon reduction targets.

Economic growth across the country

A new section has been added to set out what an applicant is expected to include in its development consent application on how its scheme will contribute to economic growth across the country. This includes an expectation of the analytical inputs an applicant should consider using.

The decision-making section sets out the government’s test for economic growth across the country, which is that the applicant must demonstrate – through a clear, evidence based growth strategy – that the scheme is expected to contribute to economic growth at national, regional and local levels, and that appropriate plans are in place to maximise opportunities and ensure these benefits can be realised in practice.

Other changes to chapter 5

Other changes to take into account updated data, legislation and policy, in the fifth chapter include:

• updates to the sections on biodiversity and nature conservation (previously named biodiversity and ecological conservation), land use, water quality, landscape and visual changes, skills, flood risk, historic environment, dust, community compensation and community engagement
• a new section on ‘domestic connectivity’ to strengthen the existing ANPS requirements, which the government consider did not go far enough to protect, strengthen and secure domestic routes – the updated text sets out that an applicant should develop and publish a domestic connectivity delivery report, discount airport charges for domestic flights and establish a domestic route development fund
• updates to the surface access section to include new passenger mode share requirements, new requirement for a staff travel plan, a requirement to minimise and mitigate any additional traffic created by the scheme and addition of requirements to include a plan for delivering new rail infrastructure

Supporting documents

Appraisal of Sustainability

Before designating a statement as a national policy statement, the Secretary of State must carry out an Appraisal of Sustainability (AoS) of that policy under the 2008 Planning Act. An AoS is intended to help ensure that NPSs take account of environmental, social and economic considerations, with the objective of contributing to the achievement of sustainable development.

The AoS for the draft Heathrow Expansion NPS identified that the following areas at a strategic level, would have a major adverse effect as a result of a Northwest Runway scheme:

• air quality
• biodiversity
• climate change in relation to adaptation and mitigation
• historic environment
• landscape
• noise
• resources and waste
• soil and water

For communities and quality of life the appraisal identifies significant adverse effects at the local scale and significant beneficial effects at a wider scale resulting in mixed effects overall for communities.

For the economy, the Appraisal of Sustainability identifies significant beneficial effects for the local economy during operation of the airport, reflecting increased airport capacity, improved connectivity and the generation of employment. At the national level, economic effects are found to be uncertain as a proportion of activity may reflect changes in where economic activity takes place rather than wholly additional growth.

The strategic appraisal does not pre-judge the outcome of future development consent decisions, nor does it replace the need for project-level assessment. Instead, scheme-level evidence is used to inform conclusions on the likely sustainability implications of the draft HENPS itself, recognising that detailed design, mitigation and regulatory control would influence the final outcomes.

Read the Appraisal of Sustainability (AoS) for the draft Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement.

Habitats Regulations Assessment

The aim of the Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) is to assess the implications of the draft HENPS on protected habitats.

The HRA for the draft HENPS identified that at this stage, it is not possible to rule out adverse effects of a Heathrow Northwest Runway scheme, given that more detailed project design information, and detailed proposals for mitigation, are not presently available.

Considering this, a derogations assessment has been applied, and it concludes that there are no feasible alternatives to deliver the objectives of the draft HENPS that would have less impact on habitats sites, and that it is possible, at DCO stage, following the development of mitigation measures, detailed design, and further investigation/modelling, a conclusion of no adverse effects on integrity could be drawn.

It also concludes that there are sufficient options available to a developer that effective compensation for adverse effects on integrity should be possible, if necessary.

Read the Draft Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement Habitats Regulations Assessment.

Equality Impact Assessment

The Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) identified a mix of potential positive and negative equality impacts. Positive impacts primarily relate to employment, skills and connectivity benefits, whereas negative impacts relate mainly to the loss and relocation of homes, employment and community facilities, as well as environmental change, construction disruption and severance.

The assessment concludes that the draft HENPS contains a comprehensive set of policy requirements that, if implemented effectively, provide a strong framework for managing and mitigating some of the negative impacts. The assessment identifies several areas where additional clarity, evidence or targeted measures would strengthen a DCO applicant’s ability to demonstrate due regard for the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED).

Overall, the assessment concludes that DfT has given due regard to the 3 limbs of the PSED in preparing the draft HENPS.

Read the Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) for the draft Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement.

Health Impact Analysis

The Health Impact Analysis (HIAn) identified that the Northwest Runway scheme which informs the draft HENPS has potential to impact the health of local communities through a wide variety of pathways. Major beneficial health effects are considered likely relating to:

• employment and income
• education
• skills
• training opportunities

However, major adverse effects are considered likely with regard to:

• access to housing
• access to social infrastructure
• community identity and cohesion
• air quality

Moderate adverse effects are also considered likely in several other areas.

In order to be compliant with the draft HENPS, a further project level health impact assessment is required. The application should include and propose health mitigation and monitoring, which seeks to maximise the health benefits of the scheme and mitigate any negative health impacts.

Read the Health Impact Analysis (HIAn) for the draft Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement.

Surface access vision document

This draft document provides further details on the DfT’s approach to surface access to Heathrow. This is a new document and aligns to the structure of DfT’s policy paper Better Connected: a strategy for integrated transport.

The vision document provides an opportunity for further detail on the surface access requirements, and outlines ‘guiding principles’, which the promoter should consider when designing their own surface access strategy. These guiding principles are to:

• make public transport the first choice
• minimise the impact on the road network
• prioritise environmental sustainability

Against these principles, it provides details of potential mitigations that the promoter could look to progress against negative impacts of Heathrow expansion associated with surface access, such as any additional road traffic.

Read A strategic vision for transport to an expanded Heathrow Airport.

UK aviation forecasts

The 2026 UK aviation forecast provides DfT’s updated long-term projections of passenger demand, air transport movements and UK aviation CO2 emissions, based on a 2024 baseline and a scenario-based approach to reflect uncertainty.

These forecasts are produced using DfT’s aviation modelling suite and incorporate updated evidence on economic growth, fares, capacity constraints and decarbonisation policy. They are intended to inform strategic aviation policy and decisions on airport capacity, including the ANPS, rather than short term airport level outcomes.

Passenger demand is projected to grow substantially over the modelled period within the constraints of available capacity, while emissions evolve subject to assumptions on technology, fuels and carbon policy.

Read the 2026 UK aviation forecast.

Heathrow expansion appraisal report

The Heathrow expansion appraisal report (HEAR) presents DfT’s updated cost benefit analysis of the impacts of Heathrow expansion, using the latest available evidence and DfT transport analysis guidance. Its purpose is to:

• update the quantified economic and environmental assessment of Heathrow expansion
• set out how updated aviation demand forecasts affect connectivity outcomes, impacts on passengers, airlines and airport and environmental impacts

This report should be read alongside DfT’s 2026 UK aviation forecasts and the Appraisal of Sustainability, which provides a broader assessment of environmental and social impacts, including those that are not monetised in this appraisal.

Read the Heathrow expansion appraisal report.

Computable general equilibrium (CGE) modelling document

Results of computable general equilibrium modelling of the economic impact of expansion, produced by Frontier Economics, are summarised in Chapter 11 of the Heathrow expansion appraisal report (HEAR). DfT plans to publish a full report providing further detail on the methodology and results shortly. Whilst some additional tests on the work are ongoing, we do not expect the core scenario and results published in HEAR to change.

How to respond

The easiest way to respond is to use the online response form. It includes the option to save and continue your response if you are unable to complete it in one go.

If you cannot use the online form, email or post your response to us:

Email to:

henpsconsultation@dft.gov.uk

Write to:

Airports National Policy Statement Review Team
Great Minster House
33 Horseferry Road
London, SW1P 4DR

If you send your response by email or post:

• answer the questions asked in the consultation and, if required, provide further comments and evidence
• tell us if you are responding as an individual or on behalf of an organisation

If responding on behalf of an organisation, you need to:

• make it clear who the organisation represents
• how the views of members were assembled (where applicable)

You will receive an acknowledgement of receipt if you submit your response by email. Check your junk/spam folder if you do not receive this within 15 minutes of sending your email. If you do not find a receipt, email henpsconsultation@dft.gov.uk with ‘missing receipt’ in the subject line.

If you would like alternative formats of the consultation document, contact henpsconsultation@dft.gov.uk.

We will only accept responses received before the closing date: 11:59pm on 1 September 2026.

What will happen next

Once the consultation has closed on 1 September 2026, the government will carefully consider all responses received.

As well as a public consultation exercise, the draft HENPS will be subject to Parliamentary scrutiny. A nominated Parliamentary Select Committee will gather evidence and present a report setting out its findings and recommendations, which the government will respond to. The 2008 Planning Act also requires the government to lay each draft NPS before Parliament, with a specified period for making a resolution.

Following consultation and scrutiny (2026)

Following consideration of consultation responses and the Select Committee’s report, the government will decide whether to proceed. If it does so, it will:

• publish a formal response to the consultation and to the Parliamentary Select Committee’s report
• update the draft policy statement as necessary to reflect feedback and new evidence
• lay a final version of the HENPS before Parliament

Following these processes as stipulated by the Planning Act 2008 (PA08), the Secretary of State will consider whether to arrange for the final Heathrow Expansion NPS to be laid before Parliament. The final Heathrow Expansion NPS will be published and laid in Parliament and will be subject to a vote in the House of Commons, prior to having legal effect.

It is the government’s ambition that any final HENPS would be designated by the end of 2026.

After designation (late 2026 to 2027)

Following designation, scheme promoters will be expected to develop their proposals in detail and bring them forward through the relevant statutory planning processes.

Promoters will be required to undertake their own consultations with local communities and stakeholders on their detailed proposals. It is anticipated that these consultations will take place in late 2026 or early 2027, prior to the submission of any application.

Development consent and examination (2027 onwards)

Promoters are expected to submit applications for development consent to the Planning Inspectorate. It is anticipated that such applications would be submitted by the end of 2027.

Applications will be considered through the statutory examination process, led by the Planning Inspectorate (or the relevant consenting authority). This process will:

• include opportunities for interested parties to register and submit representations
• involve a detailed examination of proposals against the designated HENPS and other relevant considerations

Final decision (2029)

Following examination of the applications received, the examining authority will make a recommendation to the Secretary of State for Transport on whether development consent should be granted.

It is anticipated that a final decision on any application would be taken in the first half of 2029, having considered the recommendation, the evidence presented during examination, and all relevant statutory requirements.

Full list of consultation questions

These questions are listed here to give you an overview of what we are asking.

See the how to respond section for an online response form and other ways to respond.

When considering responses to this consultation, the government will give greater weight to responses that are based on argument and evidence, rather than simple expressions of support or opposition, and those that provide reference to the specific sections of the draft HENPS to which their comments relate.

What is your name?

What is your email address?

Are you responding on behalf of an organisation? If yes:

• What is the name of your organisation?
• How many people does your organisation’s response represent?

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the assessment of the need for the proposed expansion of Heathrow Airport? Explain your answer.

The government has proposed four tests which must be met for expansion to proceed. To what extent do you agree or disagree with how the government has set each of the ‘four tests’? Explain your answer for each test:

• Air quality
• Noise
• Climate change mitigation
• Economic growth across the country

To what extent do you agree or disagree that the proposed mitigation measures for environmental impacts resulting from Heathrow expansion requirements are deliverable, effective and proportionate? Explain your answer.

Do you agree or disagree that the proposed ban on scheduled night flights for Heathrow following expansion should be defined based on the time a ‘plane takes off or lands’ instead of ‘departure from and arrival to terminal’? Explain your answer.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the proposed designation of Heathrow expansion as defined in the draft HENPS as Critical National Growth Infrastructure (CNGI)? Explain your answer.

To what extent do you agree or disagree that the compensation for affected residents is fair? Explain your answer.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the requirements for surface access, including the passenger mode share targets, and the Surface access vision document? Please also provide any further comments you may have on surface access.

To what extent do you agree or disagree that the Making Best Use policy should be updated? What, if anything, would you like to be considered in any update to the Making Best Use policy? Explain your answer.

To what extent do you agree or disagree that the draft HENPS provides an effective framework for decision making on development consent applications? Explain your answer.

Do you have any comments on any of the additional supporting documents, including the Appraisal of Sustainability (AoS), Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA), Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) and Health Impact Analysis (HIAn)?

The Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) requires public bodies to consider the needs of people in relation to characteristics protected by the Equality Act 2010. Development applications must demonstrate due consideration for the PSED and wider obligations under the Act. Do you agree that the draft HENPS takes due regard for its legal obligations under the PSED? Explain your answer.

What, if any, additional comments do you have on the draft HENPS?

Freedom of information

Information provided in response to this consultation, including personal information, may be subject to publication or disclosure in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) or the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.

If you want information that you provide to be treated as confidential, please be aware that, under the FOIA, there is a statutory code of practice with which public authorities must comply and which deals, amongst other things, with obligations of confidence.

In view of this it would be helpful if you could explain to us why you regard the information you have provided as confidential. If we receive a request for disclosure of the information, we will take full account of your explanation, but we cannot give an assurance that confidentiality can be maintained in all circumstances. An automatic confidentiality disclaimer generated by your IT system will not, of itself, be regarded as binding on the department.

Data protection

DfT is running this consultation which is asking for your views on revisions to the Airports National Policy Statement.

In addition to the personal data listed in the link below, we are also asking whether you are responding on behalf of an organisation, the name of the organisation and how many people your organisation’s response represents.

Read the DfT online form and survey privacy notice for more information on how your personal data is processed in relation to this survey.

Do not include personal information in your responses unless specifically requested.

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) may be used to analyse responses to this consultation. Where the consultation asks for directly identifiable information, such as your name or contact details, these will be removed before processing with AI tools.

Consultation principles

This consultation is being conducted in line with the government’s consultation principles.

If you have any comments about this consultation process, contact:

Airports National Policy Statement Review Team
Department for Transport
Great Minster House
London SW1P 4DR

Email henpsconsultation@dft.gov.uk