An Aecom analysis for the Department for Transport found that expanding Heathrow could have “major adverse” impacts on the health and wellbeing of up to 3 million nearby residents, worsening noise, air quality, and access to housing, education, healthcare, open space, and transport, while also harming water quality, community cohesion, landscapes, and climate change efforts. The report was published alongside the government’s launch of a consultation on a draft national policy statement—the Heathrow Expansion NPS—with Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander stating the goal to move “quickly and responsibly” on the framework. The airport project would involve a 3,500‑metre runway, moving the M25, compulsory purchase of about 800 homes, an estimated £33bn cost, and capacity for up to 756,000 flights and 150 million passengers a year.