Heathrow Airport will offer therapy to residents impacted by the development of a third runway.
The £49 billion project, which has still not fully taken off, will involve demolishing around 750 homes and rerouting the M25 between junctions 14 and 15.
Heathrow will offer locals living in the compulsory purchase zone (CPZ) fully funded “independent and confidential mental health support,” which will be delivered by a third party.
Expansion plans promise to increase flight capacity by nearly 280,000 a year and create 40,000 jobs.
Becky Coffin, Heathrow’s Director of Communities and Residential Property, said: “We acknowledge that the coming years will be incredibly difficult for some, and this support is part of our commitment to be a better neighbour.”
However, campaigners are concerned about the development’s impact on the community and the increase in air and noise pollution.
The airport has said homeowners evicted due to the expansion will receive compensation at 125 per cent of market value plus stamp duty and “all legal fees in relation to purchasing a new home”.
They have also proposed £550 million in funding for noise insulation and residential property compensation if the government backs the development.
Heathrow is aiming to gain planning permission by 2029, with plans for the third runway to come into operation in a decade.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has favoured the new runway plans, but said, “expansion should only proceed if it can demonstrate that it will contribute to economic growth… and meet the government’s requirements on climate, air quality and noise”.
A consultation process between the government and the community is ongoing until September 1.
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