Consultation on Heathrow expansion

A Draft Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement (HENPS) consultation has been published with a deadline for responses by 1st September 2026.

London Forum Of Amenity & Civic Societies has asked for feedback from its member societies to the consultation questions so that the London Forum can submit comments to the government. They also very much encourage responding directly to the government, both as a society and as individuals.

This is a summary of the response sent by The Pinner Association to London Forum:

Summary of Key Points: Pinner Association’s Response to Heathrow Expansion

Noise Pollution Impact:
- Pinner is currently only affected by aircraft noise about 30% of the time (during easterly winds).
- The proposed new North Runway would place Pinner directly under a major flight path, potentially resulting in up to 17 flights per hour overhead at altitudes between 2,000 and 9,000 feet, causing unacceptable noise pollution.
- This is due to flight path changes requiring both southbound and transatlantic flights to initially fly north over Pinner before turning.
Distortion of the Local Labour Market:
- Heathrow already increases employment costs in West London (e.g. bus drivers’ wages in Harrow are 6% more than in Ilford; in Hounslow, 17% more than in Orpington).
- Expansion will create thousands of new jobs at the expense of further raising labour costs for essential public services (public transport, NHS, local authorities) and potentially increasing fares or taxes for residents.
Project Delivery Concerns:
- Based on the experience with HS2, there is scepticism that the expansion can be delivered on time or within budget