It’s been an open secret for many years that Heathrow Airport would have a third runway but it was not until August 2025 when, Thomas Woldbye, CEO of Heathrow Airport, confirmed the details of the £49bn plan to expand and modernise the airport.
Local campaign against Heathrow’s third runway.
Since then, there has been a mixed response to the proposed expansion, most recently in a revised report from The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT).
Its 2026 report argues the plans are based on passenger behaviour and airline economics. CILT also outlined assumptions might have been made by the original Airport Commission report in 2015 on the projected capacity at other London airports. CILT suggest its what necessitated a third runway at Heathrow in the 2015 report.
One group who might be in agreement to CILT’s findings are the residents of Longford. It stands as the nearest village to the airport where the sound of planes and the smell of jet fuel are unmistakable.
Bill who has lived in the village for many years has concerns over the noise and air pollution caused by more proposed flights on his doorstep:
“You learn the daily patterns of flights living so close to the airport in the mornings and evenings you get totally used it… We are already living with some of the highest noise levels in the country and the pollution that you don’t see. It’s very concerning and tiring worrying about it all to be honest”.
The White Horse Pub, Longford.
Bill’s concerns are echoed by a local campaign ‘Stop Heathrow Expansion’ which says that a new flight path would increase noise pollution for 750,000 people. Air pollution, they state, would also go well above the recommended safety limits.
Plane spotters, however, are seemingly delighted with the proposed expansion.
Louise, who is part of a group of keen plane enthusiasts, and frequents the streets close to the runways of Heathrow, such as Myrtle Avenue, to spot the latest Airbus A380 flying in from Sydney or Singapore.
Plane Spotter Louise in her element.
Louise has been coming here for years and says “we do need more capacity to help Heathrow grow”.
“This is a world famous airport with people travelling and landing here from all over the world. There is a reason we get the best planes landing here, it’s prestigious. I am so excited by the third runway it’s going to be brilliant. I would love to live around Heathrow this would be my dream street to live on the noise wouldn’t bother me”.
Bill is less convinced, “yes these planes may well be getting quieter but it would be like talking about a quieter vacuum cleaner being on all day and not bothering you, I just don’t believe it to be true”.
A spokesperson for Heathrow said “we have a local commitment to provide predictable noise respite to more of our local community and our plans include a noise barrier specifically aimed at helping residents in Longford.”
Heathrow airport has also proposed a new noise barrier between 5m (16ft) and 7m (23ft) high to help protect the local residents in villages such as Longford.
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HeadlineLocal residents vs plane spotters as the fight for Heathrow’s £49bn third runway intensifies
Short HeadlineResidents vs plane spotters as the fight for Heathrow’s £49bn third runway intensifies
StandfirstLocals have raised concerns about outdated data, air pollution, and noise impacts on nearby villages.
It’s been an open secret for many years that Heathrow Airport would have a third runway but it was not until August 2025 when, Thomas Woldbye, CEO of Heathrow Airport, confirmed the details of the £49bn plan to expand and modernise the airport.
Local campaign against Heathrow’s third runway.
Since then, there has been a mixed response to the proposed expansion, most recently in a revised report from The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT).
Its 2026 report argues the plans are based on passenger behaviour and airline economics. CILT also outlined assumptions might have been made by the original Airport Commission report in 2015 on the projected capacity at other London airports. CILT suggest its what necessitated a third runway at Heathrow in the 2015 report.
One group who might be in agreement to CILT’s findings are the residents of Longford. It stands as the nearest village to the airport where the sound of planes and the smell of jet fuel are unmistakable.
Bill who has lived in the village for many years has concerns over the noise and air pollution caused by more proposed flights on his doorstep:
“You learn the daily patterns of flights living so close to the airport in the mornings and evenings you get totally used it… We are already living with some of the highest noise levels in the country and the pollution that you don’t see. It’s very concerning and tiring worrying about it all to be honest”.
The White Horse Pub, Longford.
Bill’s concerns are echoed by a local campaign ‘Stop Heathrow Expansion’ which says that a new flight path would increase noise pollution for 750,000 people. Air pollution, they state, would also go well above the recommended safety limits.
Plane spotters, however, are seemingly delighted with the proposed expansion.
Louise, who is part of a group of keen plane enthusiasts, and frequents the streets close to the runways of Heathrow, such as Myrtle Avenue, to spot the latest Airbus A380 flying in from Sydney or Singapore.
Plane Spotter Louise in her element.
Louise has been coming here for years and says “we do need more capacity to help Heathrow grow”.
“This is a world famous airport with people travelling and landing here from all over the world. There is a reason we get the best planes landing here, it’s prestigious. I am so excited by the third runway it’s going to be brilliant. I would love to live around Heathrow this would be my dream street to live on the noise wouldn’t bother me”.
Bill is less convinced, “yes these planes may well be getting quieter but it would be like talking about a quieter vacuum cleaner being on all day and not bothering you, I just don’t believe it to be true”.
A spokesperson for Heathrow said “we have a local commitment to provide predictable noise respite to more of our local community and our plans include a noise barrier specifically aimed at helping residents in Longford.”
Heathrow airport has also proposed a new noise barrier between 5m (16ft) and 7m (23ft) high to help protect the local residents in villages such as Longford.
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