BAA still making plans to resurrect dead Heathrow runway

BAA to halt its property purchases in Heathrow’s threatened villages

Date : Monday 24th May 2010

As part of BAA’s decision to stop working on plans for a third runway, the company
is to stop buying homes in what was the proposed demolition area.

The scheme to buy eligible homes in Sipson and Harmondsworth was originally due
to begin when BAA applied for planning permission (possibly in late 2010) but
was implemented as “a goodwill gesture” in October 2009, with the intention that
it should run for a year.

However, when the Labour Party failed to get an overall majority at the General
Election, the final nail was hammered into the third runway’s coffin and the burial
of BAA’s property buy-up scheme seemed inevitable.

Colin Matthews, BAA’s chief executive officer, said: “The policy intentions of
the new government are clear and it is no longer appropriate for us to purchase
properties. Equally important is our intention to stand behind our commitment
made to provide time for those local residents who wish to sell their properties
to us, to do so.

BAA press release says: “Heathrow will continue to consider buying properties
which have been issued with a bond under its long-term property market support
(PMSB) scheme until 22 June 2010.”

Harmondsworth and Sipson Residents’ Association (HASRA) has been told that BAA
will send out letters on Friday to residents in the area covered by the Property
Market Support Bond Scheme (PMSB).

These letters should explain the situation regarding house sales. HASRA’s AGM
will take place in Sipson on 9th June.

and

NoTRAG website:

Runway scrapped but BAA still buying homes in Heathrow villages

Date : Friday 14th May 2010

A third runway at Heathrow has never seemed less likely, yet BAA are continuing
to buy up homes in Sipson and Harmondsworth villages in preparation for demolition.

At that time most residents either wanted to stay or were not eligible to take
part in BAA’s Property Market Support Bond Scheme. However, the buy up is having
a big impact on the community.

When homeowners sell up and leave, their neighbours become unsettled and concerned
about the tenants who will replace them. This then prompts them to move.

This has created a domino effect with home after home being sold to BAA.

Of 700 homes in the demolition area, 400 are eligible for the bond. About a quarter
of those have now either gone or are in the process of leaving.

After having a stagnant property market for nearly a decade, the sudden exodus
is marked and is hitting local businesses.

If BAA has its way the purchase of properties will continue until October 2010
but, as the scheme relies on funding from airlines, it could be halted abruptly.

It is hard to imagine why struggling airlines would want to throw more money
into expanding BAA’s property empire.