Commenting on the publication of the Davies Commission report, Kevin Gibbs, Partner At Law Firm Bond Dickinson says:
“We now have the Airport Commission’s final report and the Transport Secretary has confirmed in Parliament that a formal response to the Commission’s recommendation will be forthcoming in the autumn with a number of MPs pressing for a speedy decision. If the Heathrow runway recommendation is accepted, the likely next step is to draft and consult on an airports National Policy Statement (NPS) under the Planning Act 2008 rather than use a hybrid Act procedure, such as used for HS2, which the Transport Secretary accepts has been delayed . A Development Consent Order application could be worked up whilst an NPS is being prepared but it would still take two to three years before there is a consent for the south east.
“A key part of Sir Howard’s recommendations are the restrictions he has sought to place on Heathrow. These include an 11:30 to 06:00 night time ATM ban, replacing what is now a night time quota system which bans the noisiest aircraft but allows 24 hour operation within the quota limits. Whilst this and other restrictions may impact on Heathrow’s competitiveness, it is my opinion that the proposed conditions will assist in making the Heathrow proposal more palatable, though the anti-Heathrow campaigners appear not to have been placated.
“The implementation of the report would be an important first step to improving the whole of UK’s overall aviation capacity and connectivity strategy, a pre-requirement to compete effectively on the world stage. The Transport Secretary has also stressed that connectivity from regional airports to Heathrow is of critical importance. Further delays will only do harm to both the UK’s economy and reputation on the world stage.”
