Agenda item

(a)  That all members be invited to comment on the list of potential mitigation and indicate their prioritisation, and that any further suggestions for mitigation are taken into consideration.

(b)  That the high level assessment of impacts, and the summary list of mitigations likely to be required be approved in principle.

(c)  That officers continue to engage with scheme promoters to encourage the inclusion of the required mitigations in scheme proposals.

(d)  That a draft response to the Airports Commission consultation be compiled by officers in time to be reviewed by Cabinet at its next meeting 19^th January 2015, and submitted by the close of the consultation on 3^rd February 2015.

The Assistant Director Assets, Infrastructure and Regeneration and the Housing & Environment Policy Officer introduced a report seeking approval to respond to the Airports Commission consultation on the options for expanding runway capacity, which included two proposals at Heathrow and one at Gatwick.

The consultation was open until 3^rd February 2015 and it was proposed that a draft response from the Council be prepared for review by the Cabinet at the meeting on 19^th January 2015.  A correction was noted to the table on page 113 of the agenda, with the projected increase in jobs being a maximum of 92,000 for the extended northern runway proposal and 112,000 for the North West runway.  Commissioners discussed the potential impacts of any expansion at Heathrow and proposed a number of potential mitigations on issues such as noise, air quality and transport.  The Cabinet recognised both the importance and complexity of this issue to the borough, particularly to Colnbrook, and agreed to submit a response setting out the priority mitigations.  A number of specific comments were made for inclusion including on noise insulation and housing.

Councillor Smith, as ward Member for Colnbrook with Poyle and Parish Councillor Peter Hood, Chairman of Colnbrook with Poyle Parish Council, addressed the Cabinet and explained in detail their views on the negative impacts they felt that any further expansion would have at Heathrow, including the anticipated additional noise and air pollution and pressures on housing and other public services.  The Cabinet noted these concerns and asked officers to take the specific points raised into consideration in drafting a response to come back to the January meeting.  Commissioners also recognised that many of the problems outlined were pre-existing and the consultation provided an opportunity for the Council to advance a package of benefits and improvements to the borough.

Resolved –

(a)  That all members be invited to comment on the list of potential mitigation and indicate their prioritisation, and that any further suggestions for mitigation are taken into consideration.

(b)  That the high level assessment of impacts, and the summary list of mitigations likely to be required be approved in principle.

(c)  That officers continue to engage with scheme promoters to encourage the inclusion of the required mitigations in scheme proposals.

(d)  That a draft response to the Airports Commission consultation be compiled by officers in time to be reviewed by Cabinet at its next meeting 19^th January 2015, and submitted by the close of the consultation on 3^rd February 2015.