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PLANS for Heathrow's third runway have finally been approved by Parliament following years of debate.

London's £14billion project could be completed by 2026, but only if air and noise pollution commitments are met. Here's what we know.

 Artist's impression showing how Heathrow Airport could look with a third runway
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Artist's impression showing how Heathrow Airport could look with a third runwayCredit: PA:Press Association

Heathrow's third runway map

Expanding Heathrow Airport has been a subject of debate for almost 20 years.

Now the Government has set out its support for a third runway, and a House of Commons vote on June 25 saw MPs vote in favour of the expansion.

The vote saw 415 Ayes to 119 Noes - with the Ayes taking it with a 296 majority.

Boris Johnson, a vocal critic of the third runway proposal before entering the cabinet, missed the vote.

The government hopes to receive final planning permission and begin construction in 2021.

 Where the new runway will be - once the plans are signed off by MPs
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Where the new runway will be - once the plans are signed off by MPs

Which areas will be affected?

Residents in Heston, Osterley Park, Brentford and parts of Chiswick and Hammersmith are likely to be affected by the new flight path.

Homes of nearby villages including Longford, Harmondsworth and Sipson could be demolished to make space for the scheme.

What would the noise level be?

John Stewart, chair of Hacan campaign group said communities will "face a tsunami of noise".

The Department for Transport said 973,000 people will be affected by noise, and by 2030, an extra 92,700 will also be impacted.

Greenpeace said MPs support for the project was "ironic" as it came on World Environment Day.

With an extra 700 planes a day, campaigners believe the runway will breach UK's legal limits on noise pollution.

Around £700million is set to be available to fund noise insulation measures for those who decide to stay.

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