A number of homes are set to be subject to mandatory purchase and demolition as part of plans for Heathrow expansion.
Source: AP/Joanna Chan
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Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has approved a £49 billion plan for a third runway at Heathrow – involving redirecting the M25 into a tunnel running underneath the airport and also requiring the compulsory purchase of a number of properties.
The proposal, which was submitted by Heathrow Airport, was chosen over another proposal submitted by the Arora Group, led by hotelier Surinder Arora. The rejected plan proposed a shorter runway – which would have avoided moving the M25 – at almost half the cost.
The greenlit runway will be 3,500 metres long, and Heathrow says it will increase passenger capacity to 756,000 flights and 150 million passengers a year. By comparison, the airport currently serves about 84 million passengers over 475,000 flights.
Heathrow’s planning document is unclear on how many properties will be subject to compulsory purchase orders and demolition. However, it says it will offer “to purchase eligible homeowners’ property at the unaffected market value, plus a 25% home loss payment.”
In a written statement presented to Parliament this morning, Alexander said: “Heathrow is our only hub airport, which supports trade, tourism and hundreds of thousands of jobs and underpins prosperity across both the south-east and regions of the United Kingdom.
“If Britain is to remain competitive in the decades ahead, we must ensure that our airport capacity matches our ambition as a modern, outward-looking and confident nation.”
A spokesperson for Heathrow said: “[The expansion] will mean more connectivity, increased trade, improved passenger experience and a huge economic boost for the British businesses that will help design and build it.”
Heathrow expansion has been stiffly opposed by locals since it was first proposed in 2009. Image: Zhara Keogh
A competitive bidding process will now take place for the construction of the new runway and terminal.
Heathrow will also now need to apply for planning permission, which will be decided at a national level when the government reviews the Airports National Policy Statement.
The government has said it expects a decision by 2029, with the runway in operation by 2035.
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HeadlineM25 to be moved and homes demolished as Heathrow expansion approved
Short HeadlineM25 to be moved for Heathrow expansion
StandfirstHeathrow Airport's proposal to build a third runway was approved by the Transport Secretary this morning
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has approved a £49 billion plan for a third runway at Heathrow – involving redirecting the M25 into a tunnel running underneath the airport and also requiring the compulsory purchase of a number of properties.
The proposal, which was submitted by Heathrow Airport, was chosen over another proposal submitted by the Arora Group, led by hotelier Surinder Arora. The rejected plan proposed a shorter runway – which would have avoided moving the M25 – at almost half the cost.
The greenlit runway will be 3,500 metres long, and Heathrow says it will increase passenger capacity to 756,000 flights and 150 million passengers a year. By comparison, the airport currently serves about 84 million passengers over 475,000 flights.
Heathrow’s planning document is unclear on how many properties will be subject to compulsory purchase orders and demolition. However, it says it will offer “to purchase eligible homeowners’ property at the unaffected market value, plus a 25% home loss payment.”
In a written statement presented to Parliament this morning, Alexander said: “Heathrow is our only hub airport, which supports trade, tourism and hundreds of thousands of jobs and underpins prosperity across both the south-east and regions of the United Kingdom.
“If Britain is to remain competitive in the decades ahead, we must ensure that our airport capacity matches our ambition as a modern, outward-looking and confident nation.”
A spokesperson for Heathrow said: “[The expansion] will mean more connectivity, increased trade, improved passenger experience and a huge economic boost for the British businesses that will help design and build it.”
Heathrow expansion has been stiffly opposed by locals since it was first proposed in 2009. Image: Zhara Keogh
A competitive bidding process will now take place for the construction of the new runway and terminal.
Heathrow will also now need to apply for planning permission, which will be decided at a national level when the government reviews the Airports National Policy Statement.
The government has said it expects a decision by 2029, with the runway in operation by 2035.
