Heathrow expansion would obliterate village to make way for runway (From Hillingdon Times)

Heathrow expansion would obliterate village to make way for runway

9:12am Friday 10th June 2005

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MASTER plans published this week for a third runway at Heathrow will wipe out whole communities in Hillingdon.

BAA published its draft interim master plan for consultation on Monday, which shows homes, shops, offices and schools will be destroyed in Harmondsworth, Sipson and surrounding areas if it goes ahead.

An ancient church dating back to 1067, which is mentioned in the Doomsday Book, would be bulldozed to make way for the new runway which BAA claims is needed to satisfy increasing passenger growth and to allow airlines to grow their businesses.

The plan states that any potential development could affect up to 700 houses, but campaigners say even more than 700 homes would be affected by an expansion, and residents would also suffer with additional noise, pollution and traffic congestion.

Mick Temple, managing director, BAA Heathrow, said BAA was keenly aware that its operations had a significant impact on surrounding communities. He added: "The challenge for us is to secure the continued growth and benefits of Heathrow in a way which is both socially and environmentally responsible."

Brian Sobey, 75, chairman of Harmondsworth and Sipson Residents' Association, told the Times: "We will keep fighting this. We are sure there is hope. They cannot just take away a whole communities' human rights and say, sorry, you can't live here anymore'. It's an obliteration."

St Mary the Virgin Church in picturesque Harmondsworth Village would be demolished to make way for the new runway.

Parish Priest, Father Phil Hughes, told the Times: "My concern is for the parish community which I serve, for people's homes, schools, businesses, places of worship, the history and heritage of these villages, people's lives. I know that London Heathrow has to remain competitive with other world airports. But not to the detriment and displacement of thousands of people. Destruction of community and erasing history is morally wrong."

No Third Runway Action Group is inviting residents to its AGM on Tuesday, June 14 at 7.30pm at Heathrow Primary School, Harmondsworth

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