The council, which previously launched a legal challenge against the expansion in 2019, is preparing its formal response to the current eight-week public consultation. This consultation, running until 22 December, allows local residents and businesses to share their views on the plans for a third northwest runway.
Residents can participate by completing an online feedback form, submitting a written response, attending an online event between 3 November and 12 December, or visiting a drop-in event near the airport. The council's response will highlight concerns about worsening air quality due to an anticipated 260,000 additional flights per year and increased airport-related traffic through the borough.
Nicole Trehy, H&F Cabinet Member for the Climate Emergency and Travel, stated, "With an additional 260,000 flights per year, the Heathrow expansion will worsen local air quality due to more planes in the sky overhead, and the increased airport-related traffic through the borough. We recognise the dangerous impacts of air pollution on cardiovascular, respiratory and mental health, and we've made a commitment to meet the World Health Organization (WHO) 2021 air quality guidelines across the borough by 2030."
Furthermore, the expansion is expected to increase carbon emissions from flights and airport traffic, potentially hindering efforts to meet national net zero targets. Hammersmith & Fulham declared a climate and ecological emergency in 2019 and aims to become a net zero borough by 2030.
The Government has adopted Heathrow Airport's northwest runway proposal, but the project still requires formal 'development consent' from the Government's Planning Inspectorate. The public consultation is seen as a crucial opportunity for voices to be heard before a final decision is made. Heathrow states the consultation is not about whether expansion is needed, but concerns about noise, pollution, transport emissions, and health impacts can be raised in the free-form written responses.
Relevant sections of the feedback form for local residents include questions on Future Flight Operations, Surface Access, Noise, Air Quality, Other Environmental Effects, and Health Impacts.
