David Cameron will scrap third runway plan at Heathrow, claims Cabinet minister

David Cameron will scrap plans to build a third runway at Heathrow Airport, a senior Cabinet minister has said.

International Development Secretary Justine Greening said he believed the Government would start a new long-term strategy to increase airport capacity by shelving Heathrow.

Miss Greening, who represents Putney, Roehampton and Southfields, is a known opponent to Heathrow expansion.

Speaking to The Telegraph, Miss Greening said: “I don’t believe that this government will proceed with a third runway decision.

“I just don’t think it is a smart decision.

“Trying to expand Heathrow is like trying to build an eight bedroom mansion on the site of a terraced house. It is a hub airport that is just simply in the wrong place.

“The sooner that we can move onto working out a long term airport strategy for Britain the better.”

Miss Greening added she was confident her colleagues in the Cabinet would reject the third runway plan.

Last year, the Airports Commission recommended expanding Heathrow but MPs have spoken out against the ruling.

Cabinet Secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood warned ministers not to comment on Heathrow before an official announcement amid fears the final decision could be subject of a legal challenge.