Sutton Council reconfirmed its determination to fight 3rd Heathrow runway plan, and that it has joined the No 3rd Runway Coalition
Sutton Council has been opposed to a 3rd runway at Heathrow Airport for many years, due to the negative impact on noise, air pollution, the local environment and roads and public transport. Cllr Ruth Dombey, Leader of Sutton Council, said: “We’ve been campaigning against Heathrow expansion for over a decade but given this government’s support of the plans, it is important to reconfirm our clear position against Heathrow expansion. We want our residents to know that we share their concerns, that the expansion is not a done deal and that they can count on the Sutton Liberal Democrats to work tirelessly with the “No 3rd Runway coalition” and others partners to continue this fight. The Conservative government is wrong to press ahead with this highly contentious, damaging policy and we will oppose them all the way.” The Council document said Heathrow plans took “no account of the recent announcements on climate change, in particular the declarations of a climate emergency by boroughs across London and the key issue of achieving carbon neutrality that these declarations raise.” On 22 July 2019, Sutton council declared a climate emergency.
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Sutton Council reconfirmed its determination to fight a potential third runway at London Heathrow and agreed to join the ‘No 3rd Runway Coalition’.
17th October 2019 (From Sutton Liberal Democrats)
Sutton Council has been opposed to a third runway at Heathrow Airport for many years, due to the negative impact on noise, air pollution, the local environment and roads and public transport.
Cllr Ruth Dombey, Leader of Sutton Council, said:
“We’ve been campaigning against Heathrow expansion for over a decade but given this government’s support of the plans, it is important to reconfirm our clear position against Heathrow expansion.
“We want our residents to know that we share their concerns, that the expansion is not a done deal and that they can count on the Sutton Liberal Democrats to work tirelessly with the “No 3rd Runway coalition” and others partners to continue this fight. The Conservative government is wrong to press ahead with this highly contentious, damaging policy and we will oppose them all the way.”
Councillor Manuel Abellan, Chair of the Environment and Neighbourhood Committee said:
“As one of the London boroughs who declared a climate emergency this Summer we cannot support a 3rd runway that would mean an increase of 280,000 flights each year in one of the most polluted areas of London. This and the proposals to increase flights even before a potential 3rd runway would cause significant disruption in Sutton, particularly for residents in Cheam and Worcester Park.
“It simply doesn’t make sense that two thirds of the UK live outside greater London and the South East of England, yet two thirds of flights start from London and the South East.”
An update on the Liberal Democrat position can be found here:
https://www.libdemvoice.org/why-heathrow-deserves-a-more-thorough-debate-58214.html
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The Sutton Council document in which this decision was made is at
Its Recommendations are:
2.1 To reconfirm the Council’s position in relation to the potential third runway at London Heathrow.
2.2 To agree to join the ‘No 3rd Runway Coalition’.
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The document states:
4.3 The council has responded to consultations on the Heathrow Airport Masterplan in 2018 and 2019, as well as a consultation on airspace changes. The main points in the Council’s
consultation responses are summarised below:
● The council remains opposed to a third runway at Heathrow. The key messages of the 2009 motion remain and the impact of the latest proposals cannot be mitigated, despite the
measures proposed in the Airport Masterplan.
● The lack of information at this stage on interim capacity enhancements such as alternative
flightpaths, and their impact on Sutton, means that the council will continue to seek clarity
on proposals and oppose any that cause harm or nuisance to residents.
● The council requested a public event to be held in Sutton at an appropriate time to discuss
the implications, to give Members and residents a better indication of what, if any, impact it
would have on them, and to make an informed response.
● The council welcomed the latest draft access proposals which include a clear access
hierarchy in favour of sustainable transport. Changes to the road network, e.g. the M25, if
required, must be managed in such a way that the wider network is protected from
increased congestion.
In its response to the Masterplan consultation in September 2019 the council also stated
“The council considers that the impact of the proposals on boroughs immediately adjacent to
the airport, and wider environmental footprint changes, remain unacceptable despite the
proposals for a ‘green ring’ around the airport site. The council considers that these
environmental impacts, loss of whole villages and communities, and the demolition of
approximately 1000 homes adding further pressure on local authorities for house building (with significant increases in housing numbers required in the draft new London Plan and National Planning Policy Framework) mean that further alternatives must be considered.”
4.4 The proposals in the Heathrow Airport Masterplan and airspace change documents take little or no account of the recent announcements on climate change, in particular the declarations of a climate emergency by boroughs across London and the key issue of achieving carbon neutrality that these declarations raise. On 22 July 2019, Sutton council declared a climate emergency and the large scale increase in flight movements and passenger air travel is counter to this pledge, which is shared with many other boroughs and the GLA.
No Third Runway Coalition
4.5 The council has been approached by No3R (a coalition of local authorities, community groups, politicians, NGO’s and trade unions) which has been formed to provide a collective platform for those opposed to Heathrow expansion, particularly the third runway. Joining this coalition will offer the benefit of a wider evidence base and increased recognition at London and Parliamentary level of Sutton’s position.
4.6 Membership of the coalition requires no fee or formal membership structure, to allow for the wide range of member types involved. Local Authority members include Richmond, Hammersmith & Fulham, Wandsworth, Hillingdon and Southwark.