Purpose

Richmond Council has a long-standing policy opposing the
construction of a 3rd runway at Heathrow. This is because of the
devastating impact that flight paths will have on Richmond
residents, with noise being concentrated for longer periods in some
areas, whilst other communities seeing overflights for the first
time. In addition, the council has significant concerns about the
air quality and climate impacts of allowing expansion.

Richmond Council hasn’t done this work alone – it has
worked as part of a coalition of many other London Boroughs of all
political persuasions, together with the GLA, TfL and Greenpeace.
But most importantly Richmond Council has worked for many years
with local campaign groups who have been instrumental in
highlighting the impact of aircraft noise on residents’
everyday lives and giving a voice to those who are most
affected.

Richmond Council, in coalition with other partners, has taken every
opportunity to challenge though the courts the Government’s
decision to adopt an Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS).
Whilst there were some notable legal successes along the way, on
16th December 2020, the Supreme Court overturned the Court of
Appeal ruling which means that the Airports National Policy
Statement (ANPS) is legal once again, which paved the way for
Heathrow Airport Limited to bring forward a Development Consent
Order for a third runway. Following the Supreme Court decision
Heathrow have said that they are reflecting on the judgement to
work out their next steps, but have recently indicated that they
intend to restart their work developing plans for a third runway
over the next year.

Whilst there is uncertainty post-Covid-19 and the general economic
situation on when that might happen, the threat of a third runway
being operational within the next decade is very real. There is
growing pressure from Heathrow to increase their air movement cap
which risks impact to surrounding communities. In addition to
expansion there is also upcoming Airspace Modernisation work that
will result in new flight paths and the greater concentration of
air traffic along existing paths. This process is expected to
impact to local communities who will be negatively impacted by the
proposed changes. Heathrow’s final proposals will require a
comprehensive public consultation and whilst this has now been
delayed until 2025, much of the detailed work will be undertaken
this year which means the time to influence the process is
now.

Richmond Councils continued support of the No Third Runway
Coalition will support Richmond Councils policy position against
Heathrow expansion.

Content

The No Third Runway Coalition was formed
several years ago as an umbrella group of local community action
groups and several influential aviation groups that have footprints
across our communities, to focus efforts on opposing Heathrow
expansion. The group is the largest of its kind coalition of local
authorities, MPs from across the parties, residents’ groups,
trade unions and environmental NGOs. It is governed by a steering
group Chaired by Paul McGuiness – himself a key member of the
Teddington Action Group. The coalition has undoubtedly been at the
forefront on opposing a third runway, achieving significant success
in raising the profile of community impact in local, regional, and
national press. The Coalition group is often contacted for media
commentary and also support the All-Party Parliamentary Group with
research. The Council, together with the other partners, have been
actively involved with the coalition from its beginning.

The Group’s Chair has approached the Leader of the Council
seeking modest financial support to continue their core activities
over the next year. Their ask is for £8,149.02 covering the
whole of 2024/25. A similar request has gone to other local
authorities in the coalition. The council also provided this same
contribution in 21/22 and 22/23 authorised via SO83(a) process in
February 2023.

The Assistant Chief Executive and the Policy and Review team have
worked alongside the No Third Runway coalition for many years and
believe that they are an effective organisation with tangible
influence across the systems. Their research and campaigning
activities have reach far beyond the influence for local councils
and provide communities with a strong voice.

This contribution is therefore supported and will be paid from
existing budgets.