Stanwell Moor Community Watch attended the Heathrow Local Community Forum on 18 November 2025.
At the meeting a couple of key announcements were made that affect the village.
Heathrow Third Runway: Expansion Process Accelerates with Major Policy Review
The process for the Heathrow third runway expansion has officially moved forward, but not with the simple announcement many were anticipating.
The Department for Transport (DfT) has completed the initial phase of its review by launching a crucial next step for the project: a formal review of the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS).
This action, taken in late October 2025, effectively supersedes any previous deadlines for a simple “announcement.” Instead of making a final decision, the DfT is updating the foundational document that governs the entire process.
The Planning Process: What’s Next
The DfT’s launch of the ANPS review is a key step to accelerate the project. Ministers aim to deliver a decision before the end of this Parliament to enable flights to operate from the new runway by 2035.
Here is the updated timeline of the major steps still to come:
- Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS) Review & Consultation. The ANPS is the government’s statement of need for the project and the policy framework for assessing the application. The DfT is reviewing the original 2018 document to align with new environmental obligations, including the UK’s net-zero commitments. Reviewed draft expected for public consultation by Summer 2026.
2. Formal Planning Application (Development Consent Order). After the ANPS is finalized, Heathrow Airport Limited (or another promoter) must submit a Development Consent Order (DCO). This is the official, formal planning application for a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project. Following the ANPS finalisation.
3. Final Government Decision, After examination by the Planning Inspectorate, the relevant Secretary of State will make the final decision on whether to grant the DCO. | Aimed for before the end of the current Parliament.
In summary, the DfT has shifted from making a specific ‘end of November’ announcement to focusing on the essential task of revising the ANPS, which is the required precursor to the final DCO planning application.
Protection for the village
We are working with Councillor Sean Beatty on bringing in an ANPR camera into the village with the support of Spelthorne Council. This is to tackle anti social behaviour in particular fly tipping, and, meet and greet cars.