COUNCILS opposed to Heathrow expansion, including Hillingdon, say changes in government policy on climate change mean the case for a third runway should be reviewed urgently.

The case for expansion was made in June 2018, when the UK was committed to an 80 per cent reduction in emissions (by 2050).

In June this year, following the advice of the Climate Change Committee, the commitment was changed to 100 per cent.

It told the Government the planning assumption for aviation should be to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. It added that measures should be put in place to limit growth in demand.

The councils, which also comprise Wandsworth, Richmond, Hammersmith and Fulham and Windsor and Maidenhead have now formally written to the Secretary of State.

Cllr Ray Puddifoot, leader of Hillingdon Council, said: “Expanding three airports in the London area will have a major impact on which areas are overflown.

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“Already it is clear that expansion at Luton could mean new flight paths over Hillingdon. These are significant changes which must mean a review of the whole basis on which policy support was given to Heathrow expansion in 2018.”

The councils insist Heathrow expansion will never happen as the obstacles in its way, including noise, air quality and now climate change, are insurmountable.

A Heathrow spokesperson said: “The global aviation industry must decarbonise so we achieve net zero emissions by 2050, while continuing to enable opportunities for trade, jobs and economic growth, which are vital to the communities closest to Heathrow.

"We have welcomed the CCC’s recommendation to include aviation in the net zero emissions target by 2050.

"We will now work to ensure the UK continues to benefit from a thriving aviation sector while driving towards net zero emissions.

"Heathrow expansion will only be delivered within strict and legally-binding environmental limits.”