Draft Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement
The draft HENPS provides the basis for decision making on any development consent application for a new Northwest Runway at Heathrow Airport.
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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.
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:
- air quality
- climate change
- economic growth across the country
- noise
This review was launched in a ministerial statement on 22 October 2025.