Packed public meeting in Stanwell Moor hears of threat of 850 house demolitions, noise and blight from Heathrow runway plans
Over 200 people attended a meeting in Stanwell Moor Village Hall, organised through the residents’ association, on 3rd September, with standing room only. The people of Stanwell Moor face eviction and the demolition of their houses, and those in Stanwell face blight and an uncertain future – the possibility of intense aircraft noise and air pollution if another runway is allowed. There were people queuing outside trying to get in, such was the demand to hear what the Heathrow airport operators had in mind for their area. Nigel Milton, Heathrow’s director of policy, said 850 homes in Stamwell Moor village would be demolished to make way for a 3,500 metre runway – if it was ever allowed. Kathy Croft, chairman of the Stanwell Moor Residents’ Association, said: “It will then be for the next government to act. Kwasi Kwarteng was invited but he gave his apologies … “. The problem of large areas of blight that will inevitably be caused if the Airports Commission put Heathrow on their short list in December is a very real one. There will be another meeting on 18th September, organised by Spelthorne Borough Council.
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Aircraft noise and Stanwell Moor demolition on Heathrow agenda
By Chris Caulfield
Heathrow operators confirm demolition plans for Stanwell Moor as part of long-term expansion plans for third and fourth runway
The looming threat of aircraft noise and demolition brought hundreds of residents to a meeting about Heathrow’s ambition to level Stanwell Moor and build a runway directly to the north of Staines.
Estimates put the number of people in Stanwell Moor Village Hall last Tuesday (September 3) at “more than 200”, with standing room only and people queuing outside trying to get in, such was the demand to hear what the airport operators had in mind for the area.
Those present were told that Stanwell Moor was part of Heathrow’s long-term expansion plans for either a third or fourth runway and that the 850 homes in the village would need to be demolished to make way for the 3,500 metre runway.
Kathy Croft, chairman of the Stanwell Moor Residents’ Association, said: “The meeting went well and was well supported.
“Heathrow explained what they had in mind and more than 200 people attended.
“It wasn’t just for Stanwell Moor but for other areas as well.”
Nigel Milton, Heathrow’s director of policy, explained the proposals and said the Airport Commission would release its findings after the next election, in 2015.
Mrs Croft added: “It will then be for the next government to act. Kwasi Kwarteng was invited but he gave his apologies and said he was sitting in the House of Commons that evening.
“I did get questions about that, ‘where was the MP?’, ‘Was he invited?’.”
John Stewart, chairman of the Heathrow Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise (HACAN), spoke at the meeting and noted the concern from those in attendance as well as a marked difference in what questions were asked depending on where people lived.
He added: “Most of the questions from people from Stanwell Moor were about their houses and about compensation.
“The questions from the people in Stanwell were very different.
“They were desperately concerned about being, for the first time, under the flight path.
“There is huge concern about the proposals both from the fact that they threaten to blight both Stanwell and Stanwell Moor by threatening to demolish Stanwell Moor and bringing aircraft noise to Stanwell.”
Nigel Milton said the meeting was very positive and that the airport was working hard to keep the communities informed. He said: “We understand the process of the Airports Commission is causing considerable uncertainty.
“That’s why it’s important that once the Commission has delivered its final report, whichever party is in power makes a decision as soon as possible.”
A further meeting is planned on Wednesday (September 18) in Stanwell Moor Village Hall, Horton Road, Stanwell Moor, this time organised by Spelthorne Borough Council.
The meeting will start at 7pm, and give residents of Stanwell Moor, Stanwell and Ashford North the opportunity to discuss proposals for the airport expansion and the effect it will have on them.
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Earlier
“Heathrow unveils a new approach to third runway”
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‘Quick death’ might be better for Stanwell Moor in Heathrow debate
July 12, 2013
A “quick death” for Stanwell Moor is the best-case result for residents – that was the feeling after a meeting on 1st July to discuss the blight of a potential third Heathrow runway through the village. The threat of long term blight and community death are some of the most serious concerns. Kathy Croft, chairman of Stanwell Moor Residents’ Association, said after the gathering: “I would rather a quick death for Stanwell Moor than endure the fate suffered by Sipson.” Heathrow has yet to confirm or deny the reports of plans for a third runway to be built over the Stanwell Moor area – it will publish its submission to the Airports Commission on 17th July. The Stanwell Moor Residents have another meeting with Heathrow scheduled for July 18. A spokesman for Heathrow said: “It is important that those who are most affected by the airport are given the opportunity to put their concerns to Heathrow first hand, and that we listen and respond to them. “We will continue to meet regularly with local communities, such as Stanwell Moor as we move forward through this process.” Mrs Croft said: “I would just like a decision, the last thing we want is to be like Sipson.”