Heathrow noise and relocation assistance
For some people living close to the airport, the Government’s decision to support a third runway will be unwelcome. For the people of Sipson and Harmondsworth, a third runway will mean their lives will change dramatically. Other people living nearby may be concerned that they will be exposed to high levels of aircraft noise.
We want to do all we can to deal with these difficult issues sensitively and help those who will be negatively affected by the third runway. We have put in place two schemes specifically designed to provide support and assistance for local residents living within and near the third runway development.
Property Market Support Bond (PMSB)
The PMSB enables home owners whose properties fall within the third runway development boundary to sell their property to BAA at an unblighted market rate (index-linked 2002 prices) as soon as we announce our intention to apply for planning permission. Home owners will receive an additional home loss payment of 10% of the selling price, as well as moving and legal costs.
In the meantime, the scheme protects local property values within the third runway boundary. It provides a bond to homeowners that guarantees the value of the property so that people can buy and sell houses in the area knowing that the property value will not be affected by blight.
October 09 update: BAA offer to buy properties with Bonds
Home Owner Support Scheme (HOSS)
HOSS is designed to protect local property values in areas forecast to fall within the 66 dBA noise contour once the third runway is operational. When we announce our intention to apply for planning permission, the scheme will allow property owners who wish to move and have been unable to sell their property for a price within 15% of the market value to sell their property to BAA at an unblighted price.
If home owners have been able to sell within 15% of the market value BAA will pay up to 5% of their sale price as a contribution to the costs of moving. Finally, if we receive planning permission for a new runway and once we announce our intention to begin construction, the scheme will enable property owners to sell their property to BAA Heathrow at an unblighted price.
If you think you may be eligible for either of these schemes but have not yet received any information from BAA, please contact our Community Relations team on 020 8745 5791.
We also have existing compensation schemes that aim to mitigate against the impact of aircraft noise. These schemes will be reviewed and extended to cover people newly affected by high levels of aircraft noise from a third runway – the local community will be consulted as part of the review.
Home Relocation Assistance Scheme
This scheme offers households in the 69dBA noise contour assistance with relocation should they wish to move. BAA offers a lump sum of £5,000 plus 1.5% of the sale price of the property (with a maximum payment of £12,000) to eligible home owners wishing to move away from the airport.
Community Buildings Noise Insulation Scheme
This scheme offers noise insulation for schools and hospitals in the 63dBA noise contour. A community-led body makes decisions on how to prioritise buildings for noise insulation. BAA has committed to spend £25 million on community buildings insulation in the first five years of the scheme's operation.
Daytime noise insulation scheme
People living within the 69 LAeq noise contour qualify for a range of noise insulation measures. Those eligible to apply can choose from:
- Free secondary glazing to fit existing windows
or - A fifty per cent contribution to standard double glazed PVCu replacement windows
or - A fifty per cent contribution to high specification double glazed PVCu replacement windows, specially designed to reduce noise levels
or - A combination of these options
Ventilation and loft insulation is offered free of charge as part of the scheme. Loft insulation helps to further reduce noise disturbance.
Night noise insulation scheme
Designed to protect residents who are regularly exposed to noise from night flights, BAA provides free noise insulation for bedrooms or bed-sitting rooms.
You can find out more about all of these schemes at our dedicated noise website www.heathrowairport.com/noise. Alternatively, you can call our Community Hotline on 020 8745 5791, where one of our Community team will be happy to answer your queries.
BAA offer to buy properties with Bonds from 20th October 2009
BAA announced on 20th October 2009 that it will offer to buy properties with Bonds obtained under the Property Market Support Scheme (PMSB) to reduce the uncertainty faced by residents wishing to sell their property(subject to eligibility). The offer to purchase properties will be open to residents holding a bond within the PMSB boundary for an initial period of 12 months from 20th October 2009.
Since the Government's announcement in January of its support for a third runway, we have been carrying out the preparatory work needed before we can announce our intention to apply for planning permission – the stated trigger for the PMSB scheme. As we do not yet know exactly when this will be, we are making this offer as a gesture of goodwill to help those people wishing to move.
Homeowners can ask BAA to purchase their property under the same terms and conditions as the PMSB scheme at a price which is index-linked to June 2002 Greater London property prices. BAA will also reimburse property owners for their removal costs, legal costs and stamp duty equivalent to the value of their property when they sell to BAA. There would be an additional 10% home-loss payment which would only be made if planning permission were granted for a third runway.
For more information please contact the Heathrow Property team on 020 8745 4929 or email heathrowthirdrunway@baa.com
Heathrow Relocation Assistance Scheme
Print this page