Lib Dems welcome Spelthorne U-Turn on Heathrow Expansion

Spelthorne Lib Dems have consistently opposed the possible expansion of Heathrow and in July proposed a motion to change the Council's position to object to the expansion in principle. The outcome of the motion was for it to be referred to a special meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on the 3rd September to determine a recommendation to the Cabinet.

At the committee meeting a final recommendation to the Cabinet was agreed which included the statement that "the Borough is unable to support the development consent order [Heathrow proposals] in its current form". This was less than Spelthorne Lib Dems would have liked, as we remain opposed to Heathrow Expansion in principle. There is still a long way to go and the party will be ensuring that we continue to highlight the disastrous effects expansion will have on the our communities and environment.

Commenting on the recommendation Cllr Lawrence Nichols said: "I'm pleased that the Council is now actively reconsidering its stance on the expansion of the airport. The changes proposed by Heathrow, if implemented, will cause real damage particularly in the north of the borough.

We wanted the Council to oppose Heathrow expansion in principle, which is not what has been recommended, but this is a step in the right direction. Spelthorne Liberal Democrats remain committed to our opposition to Heathrow expansion and the highly professional and objective reports presented to the committee by Council officers reinforced our concerns about the impact of any expansion on the borough.

We will continue to campaign on the issue and oppose the expansion of Heathrow, but we are glad to have made some progress".

This recommendation from the committee will now be considered at an extraordinary meeting of the Cabinet on 11th September and we will be in attendance to ensure that the Conservative administration follow the advice of the committee.