Uncertain integrity in consultation process

I ATTENDED a consultation event here in Harlington organised by BAA [now Heathrow Airport Ltd (HAL), held on Tuesday, September 9].

I was expecting a public consultation on all issues that may arise from the proposed third runway. However, according to HAL, the consultation was intended to provide an opportunity for residents and businesses to give their views on the principles behind the noise scheme compensation proposal.

In other words, the current consultation is a ‘consultation about noise compensation’.

I have [asked] why HAL is not consulting communities and stakeholders about other issues (environmental, social, economic, etc) that may arise from the proposed third runway, and I have been told a full consultation on all issues was conducted within six weeks from March 2014.

Apart from being a concerned resident of a district adjacent to Heathrow, I am also an environmental professional with considerable experience in these issues, and I [could not understand] how this could be done within six weeks.

We are all familiar with the potential effects of the proposed Heathrow expansion. I can only conclude that the process is flawed and its integrity is in question because, irrespective of the outcome, the consultation process concerning the scale of the proposed expansion of Heathrow cannot be done within six weeks.

The store team raised the money through a variety of fun activities, including setting up a donation station and holding a back-to-school fundraiser in the store.

Lee said: “I’d like to send out a big thanks to all the dedicated, passionate team members at the Hayes store who threw themselves into fundraising and helped raise a brilliant total for Cancer Research UK.

“It is a cause close to many of our hearts, so we’ve chosen to support the charity again this year.”