The UK Government has launched a consultation on the revised draft Airports National Policy Statement as part of its plans to build a third runway at Heathrow.

Speaking today, 24 October, Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said the public have until 19 December to consider and respond to new evidence in the statement, including long term aviation forecasts and the new government National air quality plan.

Final proposals for the expansion will be published for a vote in Parliament during the first half of next year. Once approved, the document will set the planning policy framework which the airport needs in order to bring forward a planning application for the new north-west runway.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said: "Airport expansion is one of the most important type of infrastructure project for the UK – both in boosting our economy and jobs and promoting us on the world stage.

"Leaving the EU is a new chapter for Britain and provides us with a great opportunity to forge a new role in the world. We are determined to seize that opportunity and having the right infrastructure in place will allow us to build a more global Britain.

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"The case for expanding Heathrow is as strong as ever and we want to hear your views on it. This is an important consultation and I encourage everybody to get involved across the UK."

A spokesperson for Heathrow said: "The consultation launched today is a key milestone in developing the Airports NPS which will strengthen the policy framework for expanding Heathrow.

"The forecasts show expanding Heathrow, the UK's only hub airport, is even more important than previously realised. A third runway will ensure Britain's place in the world as an outward looking trading nation. That's why the Government has committed to a final vote on expansion in the first half of 2018."

Building a new Heathrow runway is expected to generate £74 billion to passengers and the wider UK economy over the next 60 years, as well as creating tens of thousands of additional local jobs by 2030.

The revised draft Airports National Policy Statement sets the planning policy framework which an applicant would have to comply with in order to get development consent for building a new north-west runway, including:

• delivering at least six more domestic routes across the UK by 2030

• providing a world-class package of support for communities affected, including noise insulation for homes and schools

• setting legally binding noise targets, periods of predictable respite and a ban of six and a half hours on scheduled night flights

• paying home owners 25% above market value rate plus costs for the compulsory purchase of their homes if needed to make way for the new runway.

A £2.6 billion compensation support package will go towards fully noise insulating homes, schools and community buildings that will be most affected by noise, while a Community Compensation Fund could potentially raise up to £50m per year.

Planning consent will only be granted if the new runway can be delivered in accordance with air quality, aviation noise and climate change obligations.

To take part in the revised draft Airports National Policy Statement, visit here.