Heathrow Airport will begin the consultation process for its expansion and third runway flight paths later this year.

As part of the Conservatives manifesto, announced May 18, the party pledged to continue with the airport’s third runway - despite the protest from residents of Richmond and surrounding areas.

The Heathrow Community Forum was told by the airport that they will be launching a three stage consultation process over a 12-week period to discuss the flight paths.

John Stewart, chair of HACAN, the campaign group which gives a voice to residents under the Heathrow flight paths said: “Whether or not they get permission for a third runway, Heathrow know they have got to get the flight path changes right.

“With so many people affected by noise from the airport, if they get it wrong there could be major problems.”

Heathrow will be looking at the design principles people want the flights based on – such as whether people want the paths more concentrated in certain areas or widespread to even out the noise.

Starting from a blank piece of paper, the airport will see the biggest change in flight paths since it opened in 1946 – all part of a world-wide programme to alter flight paths driven by new technology.

A Heathrow spokesperson said: “Following the most in depth study of aviation expansion in a generation, the Government's Airports Commission confirmed a bigger Heathrow can be a better neighbour by ensuring fewer people are impacted by aircraft noise, offer more predictable respite than we can now, and through our offer of a world-class noise insulation scheme.”

The Forum was informed that even if Heathrow fails in its attempt to build a third runway flight paths will still be radically altered.

Vince Cable, Liberal Democrat candidate for Twickenham said: “No one, including Theresa May, has any idea how much the real cost of a third Heathrow runway will be, or how they will keep air quality within legal limits.”

Heathrow will provide a clearer idea of where the new flight paths will be in summer 2018 and further consultation on the detailed flight paths in late 2020 with the view the flight paths will be in place around 2025.