Following an three-week inquiry in 2015, the Secretaries of State for Communities & Local Government and Transport have agreed with their Inspector's recommendation and have allowed Heathrow Airport Limited's appeal against the London Borough of Hillingdon's refusal of planning of planning permission for the enabling works required to allow the implementation of full runway alternation during easterly operations.
Planning permission was initially refused by the London Borough of Hillingdon for a number of reasons, including reasons relating to noise and air quality, impact on the Green Belt and the character and appearance of the area, and criticisms of Heathrow's Environmental Statement.
The Secretary of States' decision and the Inspector's report are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/recovered-appeal-easterly-ope...
Hereward Phillpot QC and Jack Connah appeared at the inquiry on behalf of Heathrow Airport Limited
Craig Howell Williams QC and Melissa Murphy appeared at the inquiry on behalf of the local planning authority and rule 6 parties (the London Boroughs of Hillingdon and Hounslow, and the Mayor of London).