Residents of Richmond and North Kingston had the opportunity to have their say on the Heathrow expansion's current consultation, in a public meeting with Zac Goldsmith MP.

Goldsmith hosted the meeting on February 27 at Duke Street Church. The meeting was critical for Richmond Park residents, who missed out on one of the formal consultations held across South West London.

Heathrow’s current consultation on the proposed changes to the use of airspace for the existing two runways would enable them to increase the number of flights by 25,000 per year, resulting in an additional 68 flights each day.

Considering this, Zac Goldsmith MP invited Nigel Milton Director of External Affairs for Heathrow and Paul McGuinness Chair of the No Third Runway Coalition to discuss the consultation with residents from Richmond Park.

Zac Goldsmith MP who was due to the chair the meeting, was disappointed not to be able to attend due to changes in the parliamentary voting schedule.

Cllr Paul Hodgins, Leader of Richmond Group Conservatives and Councillor for Barnes stepped in last minute to chair the meeting.

Paul McGuinness Chair of the ‘No Third Runway Coalition’ highlighted the potential disruption from Heathrow's proposals and expressed concern about the complexity of the consultation.

Paul further highlighted that the decision to approve a third runway is at present being challenged by five different parties. The hearings at the High Court begin on March 11.

Zac Goldsmith MP for Richmond Park said: “I was very sorry to miss what was a well attended and impassioned meeting. I’m pleased that I was able to ensure local residents could have their say on the current consultation, and I hope that they will contribute to the consultation which closes on the 4thMarch.

"I will be organising further meetings for the next stage of the consultation process and I will continue to chair the all-party parliamentary group in Parliament opposing Heathrow and apply as much pressure as I can.”

“It is vital that local communities like ours, which bear the brunt of plane noise from Heathrow, have our say.”