Heathrow Airport has launched a mental health support program for residents whose homes may be demolished if a third runway is constructed. The proposed expansion, which would add a 2.1-mile runway, is expected to nearly double the airport’s passenger capacity from 84 million to 150 million annually by 2035. The development would require the compulsory purchase of approximately 750 houses in the villages of Longford and Harmondsworth, with many more nearby residents likely to face increased noise pollution.

Letters have been sent to residents within the compulsory purchase zones, informing them of the availability of a free mental wellbeing support service. The package includes a 24-hour helpline and personalized therapy sessions that can be accessed online or in person. The airport has also committed to providing direct access to specialist clinical treatments, including cognitive behavioural therapy, which is used to help individuals manage emotional difficulties. A senior community engagement officer emphasized the importance of clear communication and transparency regarding timelines and decision-making to build trust with affected communities.

Residents who have yet to complete a land interest questionnaire, which identifies those potentially impacted by the construction, have been advised that they will soon receive a visit from an official.

The initiative has drawn mixed responses. Paul McGuinness, chairman of the No 3rd Runway Coalition, criticized the project and the support offer, calling it indicative of the difficulties involved in pursuing what he described as a “doomed project.” He highlighted the significant real-life impacts on local communities and urged the government to halt plans for the third runway.

Separately, government discussions have introduced alternative approaches to Heathrow’s expansion. Labour recently expressed openness to a proposal by hotel magnate Surinder Arora, who suggested building a shorter runway faster and at less than half the estimated cost of £49 billion. The government’s National Policy Statement continues to favour Heathrow’s original plans but acknowledged that a phased approach might be preferable due to infrastructure challenges, including the need to cross the M25 motorway. Arora welcomed the shift, calling for competitive tendering to advance the best proposals, with his plan focusing on phased construction that avoids passing over the motorway initially.

Becky Coffin, Heathrow’s director of communities and residential property, said the airport recognizes the anxiety caused by years of uncertainty over expansion. She stressed that the mental health support program reflects Heathrow’s commitment to supporting those most affected and to being a better neighbour throughout the process.