Interesting to note a whole bunch of recommendations that the Commission has included as part of its R3 verdict:
A Balanced Approach to Expansion
Expanding Heathrow provides a unique opportunity to change the way the airport operates. The additional income generated as a result of operating a third runway should be allocated in a new way, and the airport should be obliged to develop a better and more collaborative relationship with its local communities, as some overseas airports have done.
The Commission therefore recommends that a number of measures should be taken forward, in parallel with the approval, construction and operation of any new capacity at Heathrow, to address its impacts on the local environment and communities:
• Following construction of a third runway at the airport there should be a ban on all scheduled night flights in the period 11:30pm to 6:00am. This is only possible with expansion.
• A clear ‘noise envelope’ should be agreed and Heathrow Airport must be legally bound to stay within these limits. This could include stipulating no overall increase above current levels.
• A third runway should allow periods of predictable respite to be more reliably maintained.
• Heathrow Airport Ltd should compensate those who would lose their homes at full market value plus an additional 25% and reasonable costs. It should make this offer available as soon as possible.
• Heathrow Airport Ltd shoud be held to its commitment to spend more than £1 billion on community compensation. In addition, a new aviation noise charge or levy should be introduced to insure that airport users pay more to compensate local communities. Taken together these would fund enhanced noise insulation and other schemes. Support for schools should be included as a priority.
• A Community Engagement Board should be established under an independent Chair, with real influence over spending on compensation and community support and over the airport’s operations.
• An independent aviation noise authority should be established with a statutory right to be consulted on flight paths and other operating procedures.
• Training opportunities and apprenticeships for local people should be provided so that nearby communities benefit from jobs generated by the new infrastructure.
• A major shift in mode-share for those working at and arriving at the airport should be incentivised, through measures including new rail investments and a continuing focus on employee behaviour change. A congestion or access charge for motor vehicles should also be considered.
• Additional operations at an expanded Heathrow must be contingent on acceptable performance on air quality. New capacity should only be released when it is clear that air quality at sites around the airport will not delay compliance with EU limits.
• A fourth runway should be firmly ruled out. The government should make a commitment in Parliament not to expand the airport further. There is no sound operational or environmental case for a four runway Heathrow.