Views sought on Heathrow Airport plans for 'easterly alternation'

Heathrow Airport Limited (HAL) has submitted a planning application to Hillingdon Council for permission for material works, including the installation of a new, larger sound barrier at Longford and new aircraft taxiing areas at the western end of the northern runway. 

The proposals do not include any plans to expand the runways or increase air traffic movements. 

HAL's plans would enable operational changes, required following the government's decision in 2009 to end the 'Cranford Agreement', which had previously prevented departures to the east from the northern runway. 

Currently, around 70 per cent of departures and arrivals are in a westerly direction and the airport alternates use of its two runways to allow respite from the noise to the neighbouring communities. Under the new proposals, HAL would alternate runway use during easterly operations also.

The aim of the proposals is to create a wider, fairer distribution of the noise nuisance associated with the airport; however, it also means some households, especially those in communities living in close proximity to the airport, are likely to experience more noise than they do at present. 

A previous application for the operational changes was approved (on appeal) in 2017, however the material works were never carried out.  

Find out more and share your thoughts at www.hillingdon.gov.uk/heathrow-easterly-alteration