Richmond councillors look set to back renewed opposition to potential expansions at Heathrow Airport this week, as air traffic levels appear to have fully recovered following the pandemic.

A report set to be presented at a full Richmond Council meeting on Tuesday (December 3) said the airport is resuming its development plans - which were put on hold due to Covid-19 - as some 83.4 million passengers travel through it this year.

The report - which comes following meetings with residents - recommends the council makes vocal opposition to potential increases to nighttime flights, new flight paths and the third runway.

"Richmond-upon-Thames Council has a long and proud history of holding Heathrow to account," the report said, "standing up for our residents to oppose any developments which would lead to worsened noise and air quality impact on the borough, and challenging the airport to do more to minimise the impact of its existing operations on its neighbouring communities and wider contribution to the climate emergency."

The report says the council should call on Heathrow to set out a clear timetable for any public consultation on potential changes and says it should "categorically rule out" any plans to increase flight numbers.

The local authority wants the airport to pursue a 'do minimum' approach to ease the impact on locals.

"The council reiterates its long-standing opposition to night flights and urges the airport to go further to protect residents from the disruption of night flights," the report continued. 

"The council calls on the government to review the early findings of the most recent noise studies and ensure these inform the future night-flight regime at the earliest opportunity."

The report also states new flight paths in the "airspace modernisation process" could cause "substantial impact on the lives of borough residents" as areas currently not overflown could soon see planes in the sky.

The "intensification of flights over areas already subjected to arrivals and departures" is also considered a risk. 

"The special standing committee [led by the council] heard from resident's groups that, despite the potential seriousness of the impact of these changes, Heathrow had not taken an open and robust approach to consultation which prevents adequate time to give intelligent consideration to their proposals," the report said.

Richmond Council is also set to reaffirm its "long-standing opposition to a third runway".

While the report says there are no formal plans currently to pursue the expansion, it does remain part of the long-term strategy.

The report continued: "The council believes the airport's time would be better spent developing plans which would reduce the emissions from its current operations, including plans to improve sustainable surface access by public transport."

Councillors will vote on whether to follow the recommendations of the report on Tuesday 3 December.

See the full council meeting agenda here.