Heathrow Airport expansion decision could be made as early as this week

An announcement regarding the Heathrow Airport expansion go-ahead is "imminent", with news possibly announced as early as this week.

The news comes as MP's warned on Tuesday (December 1) that the airport could be denied permission for the third runway expansion, if it does not meet strict pollution conditions.

Getwestlondon understands that a decision on whether to approve the controversial plans could be announced as early as by the end of the week, according to spokespeople for the airport.

The deadline for the expansion go-ahead is the end of the year.

A Heathrow Airport spokesman told Getwestlondon: “We have been told that an announcement would be made by the end of year, before December 17.

“As far as an actual day for the announcement, we have not been given any guidance on when that will be.

“We are speculating that an announcement will be made as early as this week or even next week, it could be imminent.”

'Increased pollution should not be permitted'

MPs on the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) may prevent Heathrow from building a third runway however, until it shows that it will meet strict pollution level conditions.

The committee also want Heathrow to fund road and rail links and ban night flights.

Chairman Huw Irranca-Davies said: “The Government has a duty to reduce illegal levels of air pollution in London to protect the health and well-being of its population.

“The communities living near to the roads around Heathrow already put up with noise and extra traffic, it would be quite unacceptable to subject them to a potentially significant deterioration in air quality as well.

“Increased pollution should certainly not be permitted on the grounds that other areas of London are even more polluted.”

John Stewart, chair of HACAN thinks the report makes it that much harder to build a third runway at Heathrow.

He said: "The Committee has put the Government in a straightjacket over a third runway."

A Heathrow Airport spokesman said: “The EAC is absolutely right that the environmental impact of a third runway must be considered alongside the economic benefits expansion will bring, which is why our new plan for expansion has ensured that Heathrow will be quieter, public transport to the airport will be transformed and air quality will continue to be improved and limits will be met.

“There is no obstacle to the Government announcing their support for the independent expert Commission's unambiguous and unanimous recommendation to expand Heathrow.”