Secretary of State for Transport issues section 35 direction for Heathrow West Terminal project under Planning Act 2008
The Secretary of State for Transport has issued a section 35 direction under the Planning Act 2008 for the Heathrow West Terminal Project, following a request from Heathrow West Limited received on 17 December 2025. The direction allows the proposed development to be treated as requiring development consent even if it does not meet the thresholds for a nationally significant infrastructure project. The development comprises a new passenger terminal building, a satellite pier and expanded airfield infrastructure, with capacity for 40 million passengers per annum. The Secretary of State concluded that the development is nationally significant within the meaning of PA 2008, s 35(2)(c), and falls within the qualifying transport infrastructure field. However, requests concerning the application of the Airports National Policy Statement and pre-direction consultation compliance were rejected, on the basis that such matters fall outside the scope of PA 2008, s 35 directions.