Cabinet ministers approve controversial third runway at Heathrow Airport

Heathrow Airport’s controversial plans for a third runway have been given the thumbs up by ministers.

A meeting today (June 5) of the government’s economic sub-committee, chaired by PM Theresa May, backed the proposed expansion.

The Conservatives’ full cabinet then approved the plans in what Transport Secretary Chris Grayling hailed as a “historic moment”, according to the BBC.

Mr Grayling said the expansion would only proceed if it met air quality targets.

Further, a £2.6bn pot would be made available in compensation for those affected for and noise abatement measures.

Speaking at the House of Commons, the Transport Secretary said “the time for action is now” and that the decision was in the national interest.

He insisted a third runway would benefit the whole of the UK, with 15% of new landing slots supporting regional connectivity.

Mr Grayling also said the development would be funded entirely through private sources and could be could be complete by 2026.

The last Labour government supported the idea of a third runway, winning a vote on the matter in 2009. But the plans were scrapped and the expansion put on hold by the Conservative-Lib Dem coalition, formed in 2010 and led by PM David Cameron.

The plans were resurrected several years ago and went on to receive the backing of the Conservatives. In October last year, ministers approved a draft national airports policy statement.

MPs vote on the expansion in the coming weeks. If approved, detailed planning will begin.