The UK Governments' 2003/4 Airports White Paper determined a way forward for the future major developments at the strategic airports. One such development included the construction of a second runway at Birmingham, enabling growth beyond 2030.  The Government has requested that candidate airports where major developments have been earmarked shall prepare master plans by 2005, establishing in greater detail the nature of all necessary proposed developments. 

Halcrow undertook to prepare, in advance of the master plan, development planning for the airside and the passenger terminal developments. These plans were consolidated to provide a definitive master plan addressing all land use issues over the planning period.