Report: How Heathrow expansion could impact house prices

A new report highlighted by the No 3rd Runway Coalition examines the potential impact of Heathrow’s expansion on home values. Data from researchers at My Flight Path indicates that some homeowners in south-east London could see property valuations decrease by up to £84,000 on a £350,000 home due to ‘flight blight’.

The study adds that an expanded Heathrow would require new flight paths to accommodate 256,000 additional annual flights, spreading noise pollution across boroughs like Ealing, Hounslow, Hammersmith and Fulham, and Westminster. Unexpectedly, areas further east—including Tower Hamlets, Newham, and Southwark—are also set to be hit by planes arriving as early as 4:15am.

Beyond financial loss, the coalition points to possible health risks. By 2050, up to 2.2 million people could suffer from increased noise pollution. The co-founder of My Flight Path noted that the World Health Organisation ranks aviation noise as a top public health risk, telling the Daily Mail: “Researchers have established that aircraft noise uniquely fragments sleep cycles, triggering hormonal stress responses and sustained cardiovascular strain. For the communities at the top of our rankings—Kennington, Peckham, Wandsworth, Southall—this is not a theoretical concern. It is a nightly reality.”

Paul McGuinness, Chair of the No 3rd Runway Coalition, added: “Heathrow is already the world’s most disruptive airport... even the current levels of disruption will be nothing compared to the adverse impacts that expansion will have on millions of people. If the UK government were to offer serious compensation, the costs alone would set them back by tens of billions of pounds.”

In response to these concerns, a Heathrow spokesperson emphasised the airport’s economic contribution, its role as a major site of employment and its efforts to mitigate noise: “We understand aircraft noise can be challenging for our neighbours and we remain committed to supporting those most affected. Our noise footprint has already shrunk by almost 40% over the past two decades and we continue to fund noise insulation programmes and provide targeted help for local residents, schools and community buildings. Heathrow is the UK’s largest single site of employment and most valuable trade port, giving local people unrivalled access to lifelong careers and expansion will see all these opportunities grow, but we are well aware it’s vital that growth is delivered responsibly. We continue to work with government to ensure any future expansion benefits the economy while supporting the communities around us.”