Aviation Minister Community Roundtables: What We Heard and What Happens Next

Blog Update

14th September 2026

Aviation Minister community roundtables: what we heard and what happens next

On 20 August, the Heathrow Expansion Independent Community Engagement Board (HEICEB) hosted two roundtable discussions with Aviation Minister Keir Mather, providing an opportunity for local residents and community representatives to speak directly to the Minister about the impacts of Heathrow and the proposed expansion.

The first session focused on aircraft noise and health, including noise measurement, future flight paths and respite, health and environmental impacts, and questions about mitigation and the economic case for expansion.

The second brought together representatives and residents from the Heathrow Villages and communities affected by the Compulsory Purchase Zone (CPZ). The discussion covered the impact of prolonged uncertainty and blight, mental health and wellbeing, housing, community infrastructure, compensation and hardship arrangements, and the pressures facing communities both within and outside formal impact boundaries.

The discussions reflected a breadth of perspectives on Heathrow expansion. There was no single community position on whether expansion should proceed, but there was significant common ground around the need to address the impacts communities are experiencing now and to provide greater certainty about their future.

We have now published a detailed summary of both sessions, setting out the principal issues raised by participants and the Minister's responses and commitments to consider a number of matters further.

[Read the full summary of the Aviation Minister roundtables]

What happens next?

HEICEB will continue to follow the issues and commitments identified during the discussions and seek updates on how these are being taken forward.

We have also offered to support the Department for Transport in convening local stakeholders where this could help explore practical responses to some of the issues raised during the sessions. DfT has confirmed that it will consider this offer as it determines appropriate next steps.

In response to the issues raised during the roundtables, the Department for Transport has provided the following update:

“The issues raised by local residents during discussions with the Minister are being carefully considered by the Department for Transport and, where relevant, DfT will be in contact with other Government departments to explore these matters further.”

HEICEB will continue to keep communities updated as this work progresses.

Tony Wong

HEICEB Director