OREANDA-NEWS. Heathrow will today launch a twelve week consultation with local residents and businesses, asking for their views on how Heathrow should shape a proposed compensation package in the event of a third runway.

As part of its updated submission to the Airports Commission in May, Heathrow committed to a £550m fund for new noise and property compensation schemes if a third runway at Heathrow gets the go-ahead. The consultation will seek views on how that compensation fund should be used.

The twelve week consultation runs from 21st July to 12th October and will be supported by a series of public exhibition events across the local area. 180,000 households and businesses will be contacted in the next week with details of how to take part.

Chief Executive John Holland-Kaye said, “we believe our proposal to expand Heathrow is the right way to deliver the capacity Britain needs to connect to fast growing economies around the world. This must go hand in hand with treating those most affected by a third runway fairly. This consultation provides local people with an opportunity to let us know their views to develop the right compensation scheme.”

The consultation is a continuation of Heathrow's engagement with the local community throughout the Airports Commission process and follows on from a public consultation earlier in the year around improving the proposal for a new runway to the north west of the Airport.

The results of the consultation will be shared with the Commission for its independent review.