Heathrow says expansion is "urgent" for UK growth, but plans are heavily criticised over environmental concerns.

The airport also wants to create new capacity for 150 million annual passengers - up from 84 million - with plans involving a new terminal complex.

Heathrow Airport has unveiled its £49billion plan for a third runway, which could lead to up to 276,000 new flights each year. The move is part of the Government's biggest airport expansion drive in decades, with ministers saying they will aim to get spades in the ground by 2030.