Agenda item

Councillors Barnard, Gething, Rybinski and Boughtflower

To agree the response from the Council to Heathrow’s first public consultation.

Cabinet considered a report on Spelthorne Borough Council’s response to the first public consultation by Heathrow on the proposed third runway. The report reiterated its support, in principle, to the third runway but proposed a number of requirements to protect and enhance the lives of affected residents in the borough, specifically the Stanwell Moor and Stanwell communities.

Alternative options considered and rejected by Cabinet:

·         To not respond to the consultation

The Leader advised that an addendum would be included in the response as follows:

“Following some feedback we recognise that the whole borough is likely to be affected by Heathrow’s expansion plans. However the extent to which different communities might be affected is not yet clear due to the complete absence of any detailed information. As the picture becomes clearer the Council may well need to revise or alter its list of requirements, and is reserving its right to do so.

As always the Council must have the protection of all its residents foremost in our minds.”

Resolved to:

1.    Approve the main response to the consultation for submission, subject to the addition of these words:

“Following some feedback we recognise that the whole borough is likely to be affected by Heathrow’s expansion plans. However the extent to which different communities might be affected is not yet clear due to the complete absence of any detailed information. As the picture becomes clearer the Council may well need to revise or alter its list of requirements, and is reserving its right to do so.

As always the Council must have the protection of all its residents foremost in our minds.”

2.    Approve the response to the land use strategy for submission; and

3.    Endorse the list of requirements that the Borough is submitting to Heathrow.

Reasons for decision: As the borough which is probably most heavily impacted by the proposed expanded airport, Cabinet needs to make sure that its views are fed into the consultation process. The Council needs to ensure it protects the quality of life of its residents, and makes Heathrow Airport Limited fully aware of the Council’s requirements.