Foreign Secretary, Philip Hammond, says Heathrow 3rd runway permission “cannot be bought”

Philip Hammond, the Foreign Secretary and MP for Runnymede & Weybridge, has said that Heathrow will not be able to “buy” planning permission for a proposed runway expansion. His comment came after Heathrow had said it could contribute to a £300m flood relief scheme, if it was allowed to expand.  The government will pay £220 million for the scheme, with the RFCC paying £30 million – leaving an extra £50 million needs to be raised – from business etc..Mr Hammond said Heathrow should join other local businesses in helping to fund new River Thames defences. Heathrow claims that expansion “would allow environmental issues to be addressed.”  (Unclear logic why it has to be allowed to expand before it can do so …?)  Heathrow would directly benefit from the river defence scheme. Mr Hammond commented: “We’ve got a long tradition in this county that we don’t allow people to buy planning permission for controversial schemes simply by offering money…..As a very large local business that was negatively affected by the disruption in the area last February I would expect Heathrow and businesses around Heathrow to be among those we ask for a contribution.”  Heathrow is also saying it would spend a lot on insulating homes against noise, but only if allowed another runway. It should be spending much of this money already, not holding these payments out as future bribes.

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New Heathrow runway permission ‘cannot be bought’

24.2.2015 (BBC)

Heathrow Airport bosses will not be able to “buy” planning permission for a proposed runway expansion, the foreign secretary has said.

Philip Hammond made the comments after the airport said it could contribute to a £300m flood relief scheme if it was allowed to expand.

Mr Hammond said Heathrow should join other local businesses in helping to fund new River Thames defences.

The airport said expansion would allow environmental issues to be addressed.

‘Affected by disruption’

Homes and businesses in Berkshire, Surrey and the London boroughs of Kingston and Richmond were affected by last February’s floods.

Conservative MP for Runnymede and Weybridge Mr Hammond said Heathrow would directly benefit from the river defence scheme.

“We’ve got a long tradition in this county that we don’t allow people to buy planning permission for controversial schemes simply by offering money,” he said.

“As a very large local business that was negatively affected by the disruption in the area last February I would expect Heathrow and businesses around Heathrow to be among those we ask for a contribution.”

The River Thames defence scheme involves reducing the flood risk between Datchet and Teddington by building a flood channel and improving three weirs.

Another £50m needs to be raised for the scheme, expected to be completed by 2025, and Heathrow is one of the organisations being asked to contribute.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-31599484

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Businesses to be approached for River Thames flood cash

17.1.2015 (BBC)

Businesses and utility companies will be approached to contribute towards a £300m River Thames defence scheme.

The government has increased its funding towards the project by £60m, taking its total to £220m.

The Regional Flood and Coastal Committee (RFCC) will add £30m, meaning an extra £50m needs to be raised.

The scheme involves reducing the flood risk along the Thames between Datchet and Teddington by building a flood channel and improving three weirs.

In February 2014, flooding devastated homes and business along the river.

‘Vital project’

Surrey County Council, the three local authorities for Elmbridge, Spelthorne and Runnymede, the two London boroughs of Kingston and Richmond, and the Berkshire authority for Windsor and Maidenhead will work to secure contributions over the next 18 months.

Local enterprise partnerships will also be approached for money.

It is estimated 15,000 homes and businesses could be protected by the plans.

Surrey leader David Hodge said: “The government’s increased funding has made the scheme more achievable but it still leaves it around £50m short.

“That is why we will be seeking funding from utility companies, businesses and local enterprise partnerships whose customers and residents will benefit from the river defence while also committing to contributing towards this vital project ourselves.”

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-30854340

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