Richmond upon Thames Council has formally objected to the government's Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement (HENPS), citing significant concerns over the economic case, environmental impacts, and the adequacy of proposed mitigations.
The council's Special Standing Committee on Heathrow met on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, to finalise its response to the government's consultation. The committee heard that the council's longstanding opposition to Heathrow expansion remains firm, arguing that the government has not adequately justified the need for growth and that local communities should not bear the brunt of increased harm.
Key objections raised by the council include:
Economic Case: The council questions the economic benefits of expansion. Earlier government appraisals indicated an expected GDP uplift of 0.5%, but this has been downgraded in the HENPS documentation to between 0.03% and 0.05% by 2056. When social and environmental costs are factored into the economic model, the estimated negative net present value is between -£23 billion and -£62 billion. The council argues that economic benefits should not be counted if they merely displace activity from other regions.
Noise, Air Quality, and Public Health: The council believes the proposed noise and air quality tests are too weak, focusing on avoiding legal breaches rather than protecting public health. For air quality, they advocate for alignment with World Health Organisation guidance and local Air Quality Action Plans, and for more localised modelling that considers cumulative impacts. Regarding noise, the council argues the proposed test is too permissive, relying on averaged noise contours that mask severe impacts. They advocate for a wider range of noise metrics, including single-event and frequency-based measures, and for consideration of impacts on outdoor spaces.
Climate Change: Concerns were raised that the climate change test is too permissive, allowing additional aviation emissions to be absorbed within national carbon budgets. The council expressed doubt over the reliance on speculative technologies like sustainable aviation fuel, hydrogen-powered or electric aircraft, and fleet improvements, stating that their timing, scale, and deliverability remain uncertain. They call for independent verification that expansion is compatible with carbon budgets and net zero targets.
Surface Access: The council finds the proposed surface access requirements insufficiently binding, funded, or enforceable. They argue that percentage public transport mode-share targets are inadequate without absolute motor traffic limits. The HENPS sets public transport mode-share targets of at least 50% when passenger capacity reaches 116 million and 55% when capacity reaches 130 million, but the council states these are not supported by enough certainty about delivery and that the previous
no more cars
commitment has been withdrawn.Mitigation and Enforceability: The council believes proposed mitigation measures are not deliverable, effective, or proportionate. They argue the HENPS relies too heavily on broad commitments, future assumptions, monitoring, adaptive management, and compensation rather than demonstrating how adverse impacts would be avoided or reduced at source. Specific concerns include the limitations of acoustic insulation for outdoor spaces, the inadequacy of community compensation funds, and insufficient consideration of cumulative impacts and flood risk.
During the meeting, council officers presented the detailed objections, which were further informed by input from local residents and campaign groups, including the Richmond Heathrow Campaign and the Teddington Action Group. Councillor Chris Varley highlighted concerns about the potential displacement of housing due to expansion; proposals from Heathrow Airport Limited would include the destruction of 781 homes and a further 5,500 rendered uninhabitable, potentially making up to 17,000 people homeless. The council notes that this would inevitably put pressure on the wider housing market and housing demand across the southwest area.
Councillor Julia Neden-Watts emphasised the strong feelings of residents regarding noise pollution.
The council's formal response to the government's consultation will be submitted by the deadline of September 1, 2026. The committee also noted that the Transport Select Committee in the House of Commons is scrutinising the HENPS and carrying out an independent inquiry. The council submitted evidence to this committee in July, which reflects the HENPS consultation submission detailed in the report.
See the Supplementary Agenda, Public Reports Pack, and Agenda Frontsheet for more details.
