John Rhodes to appear at Heathrow Inquiry

John Rhodes is acting as expert planning witness at a Public Inquiry relating to the ending of the Cranford Agreement at Heathrow Airport.

Dating from 1952, the Cranford Agreement prevents easterly departures from Heathrow’s Northern Runway to protect residents of Cranford from noise.

In 2009 the Secretary of State announced that the Cranford Agreement would be ended. This decision was reaffirmed by the new Government in 2010. The decision allows for full alternation of the runway and will result in a different distribution of aircraft noise around Heathrow.

For Heathrow Airport to practically implement this change, new airport infrastructure is required. In February 2015 the London Borough of Hillingdon refused Heathrow’s planning application for enabling works to the northern runway and a 5-metre high acoustic barrier around the village of Longford. Heathrow Airport has appealed against the Council’s refusal.

John will be appearing on behalf of Heathrow Airport Limited. The Inquiry starts on 2 June 2015.