Heathrow Airport will pledge not to expand to a fourth runway if it gets permission for a third, according to a bid set out today, but homes are still going to be lost if it gets the green light. 

The Airports Commission issued a package of conditions and Heathrow claims it has been met or even exceeded.

One of those was a "commitment in Parliament not to expand the airport any further" which Heathrow has accepted. 

The commission said everyone who will lose their homes through compulsory purchase should receive full market value plus 25 per cent and costs.

Heathrow has now agreed to this, plus to pay stamp duty, legal fees and moving costs for the affected homeowners.

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That offer is going to be extended to 3,750 homes on the borders of the compulsory purchase area, giving people the opportunity to move to a new home. 

The commission required a ban on night flights for six and a half hours between 11.30pm and 6am, to which the airport has partially agreed, suggesting a legally binding ban on flights between 11pm and 5.30am. 

It has agreed to support the introduction of an independent noise authority, an a system for the regular review of the "noise envelope framework", which it says exceeds the requests of the commission. 

Heathrow has agreed to publish a timetable of "respite" periods, so that people in the area know when planes will not fly over their homes.

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The commission requested operations be subject to acceptable performance on air quality, which the airport has agreed to.

The report from Heathrow agrees to "new capacity at an expanded airport will not be released unless we can do so without delaying UK compliance with EU air quality limits".

There is also commitment to an ultra-low emissions zone for airport vehicles for 2025.

Heathrow chief executive John Holland-Kaye has written to the Prime Minister to set out the airport's agreement to the commission's terms. 

Mr Holland-Kaye said: "You set up the Airports Commission and it unanimously recommended expanding Heathrow. You demanded ambitious plans from my team to deliver expansion with a bold and fair deal for our neighbours. 

"Today, I am proud to submit a comprehensive plan that meets and exceeds your demands. This is a big commitment from us, but it is the right choice for the country, local communities and jobs across Britain. 

"Expanding Heathrow can help Britain win thousands more jobs and ensure that future generations have the same economic opportunity that we have enjoyed."

John Stewart, chair of Heathrow Association for Control of Aircraft Noise (HACAN), which gives a voice to residents under the Heathrow flight paths, said:  "Our supporters don’t want a new runway. They do want a ban on flights at night and some respite from the flights during the day. But they don’t want to wait 10 years for a third runway to be built to get them.

"Heathrow’s decision to move on night flights could turn out to be significant.  HACAN has long campaigned for a ban on flights before 6am but things have remained the same for decades. 

"Heathrow’s proposals may prize open a door on night flights that has been firmly closed for 25 years."

Gatwick Airport chief executive officer responded to Heathrow's announcement by claiming it was a "desperate last throw".

Stewart Wingate said: "Heathrow has constantly failed the environmental tests and the public and politicians won't be fooled by yet more warm words which have been heard for decades. 

"Rather than circling around a failed solution that will never happen, we should get on with something that can actually happen - only Gatwick can deliver for the UK. 

"Heathrow can promise many things but they cannot wish away the reality of its location. An expanded Heathrow will newly impact hundreds of thousands of people currently not affected by aircraft noise - an expanded Gatwick would impact less than three per cent of this number."