Heathrow Airport’s proposal for a third runway has been selected by the UK government, a project estimated to cost £49 billion. This plan involves significant alterations to the surrounding infrastructure, including the relocation of the M25 motorway.
The government considered two competing proposals: one from Heathrow itself and another from the Arora Group, led by hotel entrepreneur Surinder Arora. Heathrow’s plan features a runway extending up to 3.5 kilometers and necessitates the construction of a new road tunnel beneath the airport. In contrast, the Arora Group’s alternative entails a shorter runway at a lower cost and does not require modifications to the M25.
Despite the government’s backing of Heathrow’s plan, a final decision on the runway’s approval remains several years away. Recently, additional information has been requested by the government to aid in evaluating both Heathrow and Arora’s proposals.
The Department for Transport indicated that Heathrow’s proposal presents a more viable option, suggesting it has a better chance of aligning with the government’s goals for a Development Consent application decision within the current parliamentary term.
The endorsement of Heathrow’s plan will play a key role in the government’s reassessment of the Airports National Policy Statement. Upon completion of this review, Heathrow is expected to submit an application for planning permission, with the government aiming for a decision by 2029.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0je8nd0x2yo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss