The Airports Commission has backed a third Heathrow runway, saying it will add £147bn in economic growth and 70,000 jobs by 2050.

Sir Howard Davies's report said that the new runway should come with severe restrictions to reduce the environmental and noise effects.

Sir Howard said that the recommendation for a new runway to the north of the present airport was "clear and unanimous".

"The best answer is to expand Heathrow's capacity through a new north-west runway," Sir Howard said.
"Heathrow is best placed to provide the type of capacity which is most urgently required: long haul destinations to new markets.

"It provides the greatest benefits for business passengers and the broader economy.

"Adding capacity at Heathrow also provides an opportunity to change the airport's relationship with its local communities.

"To make expansion possible the Commission recommends a comprehensive package of measures including a ban on night flights and a new noise levy to fund a far stronger and more generous set of compensation and mitigation schemes."

The runway proposal will also a connect Britain to 40 new destinations.

The report also recommends an aviation noise levy to fund insulation for homes and schools and says a legal commitment should be made on air quality. It has been recommended that night flights should be banned and the government should make a Parliamentary pledge not to build a fourth runway.

The new runway would cost £17.6bn to deliver. Road and rail links around the airport would also have to be substantially changed, which could cost up to £5bn.

The Commission believes that the scheme would be funded by private finance.

Sir Howard said that a second runway at Gatwick was a "credible" option but was less able to provide connections to long-haul destinations and would create lower levels of economic growth.

A third option for extending the present runways at Heathrow was rejected.

Source: BBC News