The UK Government has agreed with the Airports Commission’s shortlist of options for airport expansion and the need for more runway capacity in the south-east by 2030.
Additionally, the government has identified an ‘Airports national policy statement’ (NPS) as the mechanism to deliver planning consents for new airport expansion capacity.
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This mechanism will be followed by a scheme promoter applying for a development consent order.
The location decision will be subject to further consideration on environmental impacts and the best possible mitigation measures.
UK State Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: "The case for aviation expansion is clear – but it’s vitally important we get the decision right so that it will benefit generations to come. We will undertake more work on environmental impacts, including air quality, noise and carbon.
"We must develop the best possible package of measures to mitigate the impacts on local people. We will continue work on all the shortlisted locations, so that the timetable for more capacity set out by Sir Howard is met.
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By GlobalData"At the first opportunity I will make a statement to the House to make clear our plans."
In order to mitigate the impacts on local people and the environment, the government will continue to develop a package of measures that include compensation, maximising local economic opportunities through new jobs and apprenticeships, and measures to tackle noise.
Further work is expected to be undertaken by the government, with plans to complete it by the summer of 2016.
Separately, the Airports Commission’s detailed analysis on air quality and greenhouse gas emissions will be tested using the latest projected future concentrations of nitrogen dioxide.
Image: Airplane landing at an airport. Photo: courtesy of UK Department for Transport / Crown Copyright.
