Heathrow launches third runway consultation process

The airport, which also released CGI images of what an expanded Heathrow will look like, plans to open the public consultation on 18 June, running until 13 September.

The consultation follows the high court’s rejection of a series of legal challenges against Heathrow expansion earlier this month.

“The debate on Heathrow’s plans – and its commitments to grow sustainability – has been had and won, both in parliament and now in the courts,” said the airport as it revealed details of the consultation.

Heathrow said the three-month consultation will be its “largest and most innovative engagement exercise yet”.

It will use technology such as augmented reality to show models of the future airport, as well as a sound booth utilising virtual reality to demonstrate how noise insulation can reduce aircraft noise at some locations near the airport.

Heathrow will also use music streaming service Spotify to contact 2.6 million households.

Emma Gilthorpe, Heathrow’s executive director for expansion, said: “Heathrow’s expansion is a project of huge national and local significance, and it is critical to our country’s economic growth.

“An expanded hub airport will allow the country to access more of the world, create thousands of jobs locally and nationally and it will open up new trading routes. But we can’t deliver these plans alone.

“We urge everyone to have their say in this consultation, to shape our plans, and to help us deliver expansion in the fairest and most sustainable way.”

Heathrow’s preferred master plan for expansion includes opening the new runway in 2026 and then further phased infrastructure growth up to 2050.

Following the consultation, Heathrow will submit its final proposal to the Planning Inspectorate in 2020.