In a year of important moments, arguably the most significant for Back Heathrow was the launch of the Government’s consultation on its National Policy Statement (NPS) on Heathrow expansion.
This was an enormous exercise, undertaken by the Government to ensure that local residents, as well as other groups and people from across the country, had the opportunity to have their say about Heathrow expansion.
The consultation received a total of 72,239 individual responses and 58,277 of those were identified as supportive of a new runway at Heathrow. More than 80% of those (51,343) came from Back Heathrow supporters. This is a fantastic result and we couldn’t have done it without your dedication and support so thank you for all your help.
Although the consultation closed in the summer, this year’s general election meant that the Government has had to announce a short extension to the consultation, focusing on air quality and capacity, which will close on the 19th December. This is a short extension of the existing consultation in order to comply with certain legal obligations due to the snap general election, but it is very important that Back Heathrow and our supporters respond.
We need to make one last push on this consultation to show the Government just how much support there is for Heathrow expansion in the local communities near the airport. More submissions will help us reinforce our message that most local people support Heathrow expansion.
That is why we’re writing to all our supporters – whether you’ve already made a submission in the summer or if you didn’t – asking you to have your say, either again or for the first time.
If you made a submission to the consultation in the summer, then thank you but please do it again one more time.
If you didn’t make a submission in the summer, then you now have one last chance to let the Government know why you back Heathrow expansion.
We will be sending you a letter in the post later this week so please keep an eye out for it. If you haven’t received a mailing from us by the end of this week, then please drop us an email at hello@backheathrow.org and we will pop one in the post for you.
The results of this consultation will have a huge influence on the Government’s approach to the key issue of Heathrow expansion ahead of the Parliamentary vote in around six months’ time. It is vital that we send a clear message to the Government so that it can hear us loud and clear: “we back Heathrow expansion!”
Best wishes
Paul
Paul Cowling
http://www.backheathrow.org/
