Letter to promoters of Heathrow expansion: immigration removal centres
Published 18 June 2026
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2026
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/heathrow-expansion-promoter-engagement-with-the-home-office/letter-to-promoters-of-heathrow-expansion-immigration-removal-centres
Sender
Department for Transport
Great Minster House
33 Horseferry Road
London, SW1P 4DR
Home Office
2 Marsham Street
London, SW1P 4DF
Dear promoter,
The Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS) provided the policy framework for the government’s approach to securing additional airport capacity in the south-east of England. The government committed to reviewing the ANPS following its invitation to promoters to bring forward proposals for Heathrow expansion. That review reflected significant changes in legislation, policy and data and government committed to setting out how any proposed scheme would meet the four tests set by government. The draft Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement (HENPS) consultation has been launched.
Engaging with government
The previous ANPS set out requirements relating to the immigration removal centres (IRCs) located north-west of Heathrow Airport, and in particular, that the applicant should discuss the provision of a replacement facility with the Home Office. The HENPS recognises that reprovisioning of the facility continues to be necessary to support Heathrow expansion. Given the urgent need to relocate the IRCs, this letter invites promoters to engage with the Home Office directly on the matter.
The Home Office is seeking to support the consideration of proposals for the provision of IRCs. This letter is intended to support engagement and understanding of such proposals and does not form part of the formal development consent order (DCO) process.
IRC proposal development
The government recognises that proposals may be under development and that further refinement would likely be expected as schemes progress through design, consultation and consenting. Proposals relating to IRC provision will need to demonstrate that they support safe, secure and humane operation and can adapt to future operational requirements.
The Home Office is developing design principles and operational standards for the delivery of IRCs and residential short-term holding facilities. These principles are intended to provide clarity on the outcomes that proposals are expected to achieve. All proposals will be expected to comply with relevant statutory and regulatory requirements and meet Home Office technical and operational requirements.
Additionally, the Home Office is developing a set of additional minimum viable requirements, reflecting the location, significance and sensitivity of the assets involved. To support prospective promoters, the Home Office will make information available on a staged and consistent basis, reflecting the level of detail required at different stages of proposal development. The Home Office will also be available to answer questions where appropriate.
High-level information on IRC provision is publicly available at the Campsfield immigration removal centre: factsheet and applies equally to all promoters. This includes information on the purpose and function of IRCs and confirmation that Home Office design principles and operational requirements apply to all proposals.
Accessing further information
Promoters will, we anticipate, require additional details to support early design development. Access to such information will be conditional upon completion of a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), which governs the use and handling of confidential information and does not override statutory transparency obligations.
Information provided under an NDA will be shared on a consistent basis, will be indicative and non-binding and all promoters will have equal access to any information provided by the Home Office. It will not constitute approval or endorsement of any proposal and will not remove the promoter’s responsibility for developing, assessing and justifying their scheme.
Any proposals are subject to funding agreement, planning consent and other relevant statutory approvals.
The Home Office will act as design authority and will provide oversight of compliance with applicable design principles and requirements as proposals develop. Any proposed departures from those requirements will be subject to Home Office governance and agreement.
The Home Office may continue to engage with promoters as proposals are developed.
Given the commercial and legal sensitivities associated with promoter engagement, the government recognises the importance of ensuring that a fair and transparent approach is in place in accordance with the government’s statement of approach.
In that context, this letter signals that the government is keen to engage directly with promoters to support understanding and consideration of proposals for the provision of IRCs. This engagement does not form part of the formal HENPS consultation or DCO process.
Contact
To engage with the Home Office, contact: ie_heathrowthirdrunwayteam@homeoffice.gov.uk.
Signed
Heathrow Expansion Team, Department for Transport
Heathrow Third Runway Team, Home Office