Heathrow is planning to build a new terminal near the M25 as part of its expansion proposals, it emerged today.
Britain’s biggest airport wants to build a third runway amid predictions London’s airports will reach full capacity in the next 20 years.
It emerged today that one option to be put before the public next month involves a new terminal building to the west of the site, next to the current Terminal 5.
A new terminal could be built next to Terminal 5 as part of Heathrow’s expansion plans
The new terminal would be built as part of the plans to put a third runway on the site and would share a station on the new Crossrail line with Terminal 5
The new building would handle around 25million passengers a year and would share an Underground and Crossrail station with Terminal 5, The Times reported.
The third runway will be built to the north west of the current airport, across the M25, which will go into a tunnel.
The current £16billion plan involves compulsory purchasing more than 750 homes, but airport bosses have pledged to compensate families booted out of their homes.
They have also said they’ll ban flights for six and a half hours overnight to reduce noise if they are given permission to go ahead with the plans.
An artist’s impression (looking east) shows how the expanded airport would look
The new runway will pass over the M25, which will go into a tunnel to the south of the M4
Plans for a ‘mini Terminal 5’ could be built over more than 10 years, reducing the cost of the overall project by up to £2billion, it is claimed.
The reduced bill could in turn mean fees for airlines could be kept at the same level, following complaints from some airlines over landing charges.
Airport bosses said last week that the expansion would enable Britain to succeed post-Brexit.
They added: ‘Heathrow will not compromise on any of its commitments to the local communities as part of this consultation.’
As well as the pledges on night flights and compensation of 25pc above market value for any homes bought, Heathrow has promised to only release new capacity if strict air quality limits can be met.
Terminal 5 cost more than £4billion and was the subject of a long-running planning row
Airport bosses have promised to compensate those whose homes are bought to make way
Emma Gilthorpe, in charge of expansion for the airport, said: ‘Expanding Heathrow is pivotal to Britain’s future prosperity and it’s a chance to make the airport a better neighbour for our local communities.’
MPs are expected to vote on Heathrow expansion plans by the summer, before Heathrow can submit a planning application. It hopes to have the runway built by 2025.
However, the plans were dealt a blow in October as the government admitted another runway at Gatwick instead could deliver better economic benefit.
Ministers said it would be able to fly more passengers by 2070 than previously anticipated.