Airports Commission publishes a discussion paper on its Phase 2 work, January 2014 to summer 2015

This information note provides details on the processes and timings that may be established in phase 2 of the Airports Commission’s work programme, should our interim report conclude that a significant increase in aviation capacity is needed.

The purpose of the note is to inform all interested parties of the likely time frames for any work that may need to be undertaken in phase 2.
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The Commission says:

As stated in the guidance document outlining our programme of work, our interim report must meet three key objectives. It should:
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examine the evidence on the nature, scale and timing of the UK’s future aviation capacity and connectivity needs to maintain the UK’s position as Europe’s most important aviation hub;
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make recommendations for any immediate actions to improve the use of existing runway capacity in the next five years and to consider other short and medium term measures for making the best use of existing capacity that might be further developed before the Commission’s final report;
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consider long-term options – including major infrastructure and any surface transport needs they may entail – and identify a list of credible options, consistent with our conclusions on the assessment of need, to be further developed before the Commission’s final report.

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If the Commission reaches a view in its interim report that a significant increase in aviation capacity is needed, the second phase of our work will develop the list of credible long term options into detailed schemes, and subject them to a thorough appraisal process. This is likely to include looking not only at individual proposals in isolation, but also at how they might be combined.

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If carried forward into Phase 2, we envisage that a scheme would be refined and worked-up in sufficient detail as to allow it to be thoroughly examined.Further to this process of development, a detailed business case and sustainability assessment would be produced for each scheme examined in Phase 2. These documents would inform the Commission’s recommendations in its final report and could serve as technical materials in support of any subsequent Appraisal of Sustainability or National Policy Statement which might be prepared by the Government in the light of those recommendations.Subject to the Commission’s interim recommendations, we therefore intend to publish alongside the interim report a draft Phase 2 appraisal framework, setting out the approach to be taken in compiling business cases and . sustainability assessments. We would provide an opportunity for stakeholders to comment on this draft framework with a view to finalising it early in 2014..and
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To support the development of its sustainability assessments framework, the Commission has established a Sustainability Reference Group. This is an advisory group comprising experts from relevant Government Departments and statutory bodies (the Environment Agency, Natural England and English Heritage). The Commission is also seeking input from its Expert Advisory Panel where appropriate. Whilst the eventual framework would be specifically tailored to the requirements of the Commission, there is considerable prior practice available in relation to such assessments, and we envisage that any sustainability metrics we may formulate would draw upon that prior practice.

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