Third runway plans at Heathrow, Richmond “reaffirms firm opposition”
Richmond Council has restated its “clear and unwavering opposition” to a planned expansion, including a third runway at Heathrow Airport, as well as “any measures that would increase flight numbers or worsen disruption for residents.”
The renewed position came after a recent meeting of its Special Standing Committee on Heathrow, where councillors reviewed the latest development in the refreshed proposals and the government’s decision to restart a national policy process to enable expansion.
“Richmond Council has been absolutely consistent: expanding Heathrow, whether through a third runway or backdoor increases in flight numbers, will have devastating consequences for our residents and our environment,” Council Leader Councillor Gareth Roberts said. “The Government may have chosen to reboot Heathrow’s expansion agenda, but we will not stand by while the noise, pollution and congestion problems our communities already face are made even worse.”
Information presented to the committee shows that the airport’s plans are “largely unchanged from earlier iterations,” the council said. This includes the construction of a 3,500m third runway, “major” new terminal infrastructure, and the potential introduction of mixed mode operations, a change that Richmond warns “would remove vital periods of respite for thousands of residents under flight paths.”
The committee heard from local campaign groups who “continue to highlight the impacts of airport expansion will have on residents.”
A full review of the Airports National Policy Statement has been confirmed by the government, with consultation expected in the summer of 2026. This, Richmond says is “paving the way for an accelerated approval process. Heathrow Airport plans to submit its Development Consent Order in 2027, potentially enabling a final decision as early as 2029.”
Richmond Council says it “pledged to intensify joint working with neighbouring boroughs, MPs and the No 3rd Runway Coalition, as well as continue its longstanding campaigning for reduced night flights and stronger protections for communities across west and southwest London.”
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