Residents of Longford, a medieval village bordering Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5, face an uncertain future as plans for a third runway threaten to destroy their community. The village, located just hundreds of metres from the northern runway, has lived with the airport since 1946, but proposed expansion could see it flattened to make way for infrastructure, including a relocated M25.
Locals like Raj Kimyani, Christian Hughes, and Trevor Gordon, who were enjoying a pint at The White Horse pub, describe feeling trapped. Hughes, chair of the residents' association, told The Independent: 'This has been hanging over the village since 2008... with the uncertainty, not being able to get a mortgage, not being able to sell at a decent price, you can't move up and you're kind of locked in.'
The third runway plans, first proposed in 2009, gained momentum when Chancellor Rachel Reeves expressed Labour government support in January 2024, citing economic growth. A final decision is years away, with a public consultation expected later this year. Posters rejecting the runway are dotted around the village, reflecting residents' desire to preserve their homes.
Heathrow's director of communities, Becky Coffin, acknowledged the uncertainty is 'very challenging' and said the airport is progressing a property compensation scheme to offer residents certainty as soon as possible. However, Hughes warned that compulsory purchase orders would not provide fair compensation.
Beyond expansion, residents face increased noise from easterly take-offs after the scrapping of the Cranford agreement in 2009. Hillingdon Council approved runway alternation for easterly operations in December 2023, bringing planes as close as 250 metres to some homes, compared to 750 metres for westerly take-offs. Heathrow is consulting on airspace changes with the Civil Aviation Authority.
