AEF says no to Heathrow expansion policy

8th October, 2026

Can the environmental harms of Heathrow expansion be mitigated?

The Department for Transport’s consultation on the draft Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement (HENPS) ran through summer 2026.

The consultation sought feedback on how effective the mitigations for the enormous environmental impacts of the scheme would be. AEF argued in no uncertain terms that the proposed “four tests” on climate, air pollution, noise pollution and nationwide economic growth were wholly inadequate to address the harm caused by expansion.

You can read our full response to all of the questions posed in the consultation here: