Council leaders have accused the government of turning a deaf ear on over 2 million people who are affected by aircraft noise.

According to a new report, published by the government, as many as 2.5 million people are likely to be affected by aircraft noise from Heathrow. This contrasts starkly with a figure of 250,000 to 350,000 people that has been used by the government and the aviation industry to date.

In an apparent U-turn, the government published its Attitudes to Noise from Aviation Sources in England (ANASE) study which contains the findings.

In October, the aviation minister, Jim Fitzpatrick, wrote to Hounslow Council and its allies in the 2M group of local authorities, rejecting their calls to make the findings public.

But despite bowing to pressure from the council to publish the report, the aviation minister Jim Fitzpatrick said the government would not abandon its plans to expand Heathrow because the figures were not "robust" enough.

Councillor Barbara Reid, the council’s lead member for aviation said: “This damning report should send a message as loud any 747 flying over Hounslow. The government must take our residents’ concerns about aircraft noise seriously.

“The council has long argued for the government to recognise the World Health Organisation’s recommendations on noise, but it has constantly turned a deaf ear.

“Now its own report is clearly supporting our position. It’s time for the government to hold up its hands and admit that the time has come to say no to any further expansion at Heathrow.

“Instead, it seems intent on turning a deaf ear not just on our residents, but on over 2 million affected by noise from Heathrow.”

The council is now preparing to lead the opposition to airport expansion during a 12-week public consultation that is expected to be launched by the end of the year.

Councillors from all parties gave their unanimous backing to the council’s campaign against any further expansion at Heathrow Airport at a full meeting of the council last week (Tuesday 30 October).

Councillor Reid’s proposal that the council reaffirm its opposition to airport expansion was seconded by councillors Phil Andrews, Andrew Dakers, Ruth Cadbury and Peter Hills.

The motion read: “The council reaffirms its long-standing, cross-party and total opposition to any further expansion at Heathrow Airport.

“Council fully recognises that Hounslow borough residents already suffer excessive amounts of noise and pollution and that the proposed third runway, sixth terminal and the loss of runway alternation and the Cranford Agreement through the introduction of mixed-mode would impose an intolerable further burden on residents.

“Council therefore resolves to continue to campaign against Heathrow expansion and to work with other councils, groups and Mayor of London in opposing expansion proposals.”

In a separate move, opposition to the government’s aviation policies gained new momentum with the launch of “the biggest ever coalition against Heathrow expansion”.

The Stop Heathrow Expansion campaign brings together politicians, residents groups and national campaign organisations and local authorities including the London Borough of Hounslow: www.stopheathrowexpansion.com.