Plans for a third runway and planes taking off and landing at the same time at Heathrow were today formally scrapped.

Theresa Villiers, Aviation Minister in the new coalition Government, officially ruled out the building of a controversial third runway at the airport in a written statement to the House of Commons.

She also announced the Government would not be approving a switch to all day take off and landing, commonly referred to as mixed mode.

Ms Villiers said: “I have made it absolutely clear today that the Government is firmly committed to retaining runway alternation at Heathrow and will not approve the introduction of mixed mode.

“Mixed mode would have seen Heathrow's runways used much more intensively, but we recognise the value that those who live close to the airport place on runway alternation.”

Under mixed mode, planes would be able to take off or land on both runways virtually all day. Currently, take-offs and landings alternate between the northern and southern runway, changing at 3pm each day and giving half a day's break - although that is being scrapped for six weeks from Monday due to repair works.

The Government has, however, taken the decision to scrap the Cranford agreement, which bars planes taking off from the northern runway over the airport-side village when wind is blowing from the east.

John Stewart, chairman of anti-Heathrow expansion group Hacan, said: This is good news for residents under the flight paths.

“The Government has resisted pressure from the aviation industry to bring in more planes on the existing runways in order to compensate for the cancellation of the third runway.

“Mixed mode would have meant the end to the half day’s peace and quiet residents enjoy when planes switch runways at 3pm.”

Wandsworth Council leader Edward Lister said: "For people in our part of London the threat of losing runway alternation was a greater fear than the third runway.

"Our worry was that if planes were allowed to land continuously on one runway it would effectively double the noise dose for people under the flightpath.

"At least with runway alternation you know will get a break from the noise. The closer you are to the airport, the bigger the problem. The minister’s announcement will put people’s minds at rest."

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