Heathrow will get a fifth terminal to help UK aviation remain globally competitive but with strict conditions imposed

Stephen Byers, Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, today gave planning approval to the fifth terminal at Heathrow. The decision strikes a balance between environmental and economic concerns. There will be limits on flights and a consultation on stricter controls for night flights.

Stephen Byers' decision is in line with the recommendations of the Inspector, Roy Vandermeer QC, who held the public inquiry into the Terminal 5 proposals. His report is also being published today.

Stephen Byers said:

"Such a development is in the national interest. It will enable Heathrow to remain a world class airport. It will bring benefits to the British economy both locally and nationally. At the same time as giving my approval to the development I have also imposed conditions in order to protect the interests of those living in the vicinity of Heathrow. They include:

a limit has been set on the number of flights each year at 480,000. This limit has been imposed on a precautionary basis, and because of the Inspector's concerns about noise. Last year Heathrow handled some 460,000 flights and just under 65 million passengers. Even with a limit of 480,000 flights, the Inspector adopted a figure of 90 million passengers per annum as the potential capacity of Heathrow if Terminal 5 were built.

the noise effects of Terminal 5 will also be limited by a condition restricting the area enclosed by the 57-decibel noise contour to 145 square kilometres as from 2016.

The Inspector recommends stricter controls on night flights. I recognise that there is considerable concern about night noise. I am not legally entitled to change the night noise regime without consultation. I will consult on an extension of the night quota period when I next put forward proposals for the night noise regime for the BAA London Airports. I have decided that this consultation will take place by 2003 at the latest."

In addition the Secretary of State has agreed with the Inspector:

on the need to promote the use of public transport - requiring the extension to Terminal 5 of both the Heathrow Express and the Piccadilly Line before the new Terminal is opened;

that there should not be any widening of the M4 between junctions 3 and 4b; and

in cutting the provision of car parking spaces for the airport as a whole below that in the original proposals - limiting total spaces to 42,000 rather than the 46,000 proposed by BAA.

The Secretary of State has already announced

a change to the system of so-called 'westerly preference' at Heathrow, to reduce the number of night flights over built-up west London; and

a major research study to reassess attitudes to aircraft noise. This will permit a fresh look at the present 'Leq' noise index on which the Inspector commented.

Before work can start on construction of Terminal 5, a separate planning consent must be given for diversion of the Twin Rivers that flow across the site. BAA put forward revised proposals only in August of this year, after the issue was considered at the Inquiry. A consultation on these plans was completed in mid October.