THE consultation on Heathrow's third runway is set to be further delayed because of the general election in June, it has emerged.

The Department for Transport (DfT) has said that the consultation will close as planned on May 25.

But a spokesperson said: "It will be for the next government to consider responses."

The election was called for June 8 by Theresa May last week and supported by parliament.

Although the government announced its backing for Heathrow in October last year, the consultation, currently on a draft National Policy Statement, does not mean the end of the matter.

There will still be a vote in the House of Commons - followed by a planning application by the airport to the Planning Inspector who will take a view and advise the government of his decision. Final sign off will be by the Secretary of State for Transport and then construction will start.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said last year that expansion 'will only be allowed to proceed on the basis of a world class package of compensation and mitigation worth up to £2.6 billion'.