About the draft Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement (HENPS)
The draft HENPS is a planning policy framework that sets out how future Heathrow expansion proposals would be assessed before any final decision is taken.
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Details
Heathrow Airport Limited consultation
On 27 October 2026, Heathrow Airport Limited (HAL) launched a consultation on its proposed development consent order application. The timing of this consultation is a decision for HAL.
HAL’s consultation is promoter-led and separate from the government’s consultation on the draft HENPS. It does not pre-empt any government decisions on Heathrow expansion.
The government will consider responses to the draft HENPS consultation alongside the Transport Select Committee’s recommendations before setting out its response and next steps. Any promoter will need to demonstrate how its scheme complies with any designated final HENPS.
The government is consulting on the draft Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement (HENPS), which sets out the planning policy framework for assessing any future Heathrow expansion proposals.
The draft HENPS explains the key issues that proposals would need to address, including impacts on:
- air quality
- climate
- communities
- noise
Read the draft Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement.
This is not planning permission. The draft HENPS is not giving permission for a third runway to be built.
The consultation seeks views on the policy framework that would guide future decisions against tests on:
- air quality
- climate
- economic growth
- noise
The consultation invites views from the public, stakeholders and interested groups before the policy is finalised and considered by Parliament. Once designated, the HENPS would guide decision‑making on any future development consent applications for Heathrow expansion.
Have your say on the draft Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement proposed amendments.
Anyone wishing to build a runway would still need to submit a planning application through the statutory process.