“The Government is not opposed to Heathrow building a third runway if it meets four “clear tests”, Number 10 confirmed on Monday.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has hinted that Labour would back the £14billion plan to boost economic growth.

But the Prime Minister’s spokesman said the proposals would have to meet air and noise pollution conditions before being approved.

The Government’s number one mission is growing the economy and making people better off,” he said.

“The aviation sector clearly is a huge contributor to the economy. The Government’s position is that it is not opposed in principle to new or longer runways or to people flying more.

“But there have to be clear conditions under which any future expansion would be justifiable and it would have to pass four clear tests.

“One of which is economic growth across the country. Secondly, it must ensure it is consistent with our binding climate change obligations. Thirdly, around noise pollution and fourthly around air pollution.”

There has been more than two decades of public wrangling over plans for a third runway at Heathrow.

The airport has faced fierce opposition from some MPs and Londoners, particularly those who live under flight paths, and was thought to have considered scrapping the project altogether after profits plummeted during the pandemic.

We knew this was only a matter of time said Jim McIlroy, founder of the campaign for compensation for Stanwell Moor. We are the most blighted community within the Heathrow perimeter and we continue our fight for our residents to be included in the wider property offer zone [WPOZ] and seek full compernsation for everyone in our village.