Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how the social costs of an expanded Heathrow Airport with a third runway compares with the social cost of an expanded Gatwick with a second runway.
The Airports National Policy Statement, which set out Government’s policy on the need for new airport capacity in the South East of England and the preferred location and scheme to deliver new capacity, was overwhelmingly approved by MPs in June of last year.
To accompany the Airports National Policy Statement, an Appraisal of Sustainability was also published after being consulted upon, which assessed the three expansion schemes shortlisted by the independent Airports Commission in 2015, including the Gatwick scheme and the preferred Heathrow North West runway scheme.
Amongst other things, the Appraisal of Sustainability assessed the effect of each scheme on community viability, including housing and community facilities, indirect and cumulative effects, and any disproportionate impacts on any individual social group. The Airports National Policy Statement, and all accompanying documents – including extensive analysis, are available online.