The Hillingdon Planning Committee has recommended approval of a planning application at Heathrow Airport to enable complete runway alternation for Easterly operations.
This involves constructing a new hold area at the western end of the northern runway, new access and exit taxiways, and an acoustic noise barrier near Longford Village. The development requires an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) due to its significant environmental effects, which removes permitted development rights and necessitates planning permission.
The proposal does not aim to increase passenger numbers or alter the 480,000 air traffic movement cap set by the Terminal 5 planning consent. Instead, it focuses on operational changes to end the Cranford Agreement, which historically restricted easterly departures over Cranford.
The application is supported by various assessments, including noise, air quality, and public health, ensuring compliance with EIA regulations. The proposed works are intended to facilitate runway alternation, providing scheduled respite for local communities by alternating runway use for arrivals and departures.
Currently, runway alternation is not routine during easterly operations, with most arrivals on the northern runway and departures on the southern runway. The new infrastructure will enable regular departures from the northern runway (Runway 09L) and arrivals on the southern runway (Runway 09R) during easterly operations.
The proposal is considered on its own merits, with appropriate mitigation and compensation measures in place, and does not prejudice future considerations of Heathrow’s operations.
A Heathrow spokesperson said: “This positive decision from Hillingdon Council takes us a step closer to our promise to provide predictable noise respite to more of our local community. Once complete, we will be able to alternate our runways throughout the year, ensuring aircraft noise is shared more equally and giving predictable noise respite during easterly operations, just as we do today on westerly operations.”
Background
- Heathrow’s noise footprint has reduced by 37 per cent since 2006 and we are working on further reductions.
- Heathrow committed to deliver easterly alternation in the 2024-2028 Noise Action Plan, alongside a range of measures including incentivising quieter aircraft and providing free noise insulation for thousands of homes.
- To deliver the project, changes to taxiways are needed to allow efficient use of the northern runway in both directions. These are the changes Hillingdon has just resolved to approve.
- Alternating runways is an important part of how Heathrow mitigates noise impacts for its neighbours. More information on easterly alternation, including an explainer video can be seen here: Easterly alternation | Heathrow
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