Heathrow 3rd Runway

Approval for a third runway at Heathrow was given by the government yesterday.

The highly controversial plans were approved along with a range of measures designed to limit the environmental impact through strict controls on noise and pollution.

However the decision is expected to prompt a legal challenge from environmental groups opposed to expansion of the London hub.

The plans will result in the demolition of a village to increase capacity at congested Heathrow, with five years of construction work expected to start in 2015.

Airlines, unions and business leaders welcomed the long-awaited and delayed approval which also includes a possible a new high speed rail link.