heathrow airport reveals preferred expansion masterplan

in 2016 — following a design competition with participation from zaha hadid architects, benoy, and HOK — grimshaw was chosen to develop the concept for heathrow’s ‘hub airport of the future’. now, the UK’s busiest airport has revealed its preferred expansion masterplan. the proposal involves a new runway as well as the addition of other infrastructure such as terminals and road access. the public will have the opportunity to provide feedback on the plan as part of the airport expansion consultation, which runs from june 18 until september 13, 2019.

all images and video courtesy of heathrow airport

as part of the consultation, the public will also be able to have their say on plans to manage the environmental impacts of expansion, including a proposed ultra low emissions zone, vehicle access charge, and a proposed 6.5-hour ban on scheduled night flights. responses to this consultation will inform heathrow’s application for a development consent order (DCO) — the planning consent required for the project — which is expected to be submitted in 2020.

‘expansion must not come at any cost,’ says emma gilthorpe, heathrow’s executive director for expansion. ‘that is why we have been working with partners at the airport, in local communities and in government to ensure our plans show how we can grow sustainably and responsibly — with environmental considerations at the heart of expansion. this consultation is an opportunity for people to have their say on our preferred masterplan, so it’s really important that as many people as possible take part. we look forward to hearing your views.’

heathrow has also invested in new technology to bring the plans to life, including a physical model of the future airport which features augmented reality, sound booths to demonstrate the effect of noise insulation on properties overflown by aircraft, and a CGI fly through video. if approved, the airport would develop in phases — from runway opening in approximately 2026, to the complete masterplan in approximately 2050.