Heathrow Airport has announced plans to move an incinerator away from Stanwell and make a 15 mile ‘green ring’ around town.

The airport said it shifted its plans after residents raised concerns over its plans to relocate its incinerator to the Bedfont Road area.

A Labour county councillor however has said it is like moving bits around a chess board.

Stanwell and Stanwell Moor councillor Robert Evans said:”I welcome very much the changes and that is due to the pressure put on BAA by me and the Labour party.

“But local resident Andrew McLuskey has done all the hard work.

“But in saying that, we are still battling away to stop expansion happening at Heathrow whatsoever.

“There are still serious reservations and I don’t believe an expansion of the airport is perfect for the area or the entire country.

“We’re talking semantics here — it’s a big expansion in a very cramped area. It’s like moving bits around a chess board — whatever we don’t like about Stanwell will be just as massive someplace else.”

A new park and an all-weather sports pitch has been mooted for the area, in addition to the potential construction of’balancing ponds’ to help control the discharge of floodwater.

Roberto Tambini, chief executive of Spelthorne Borough Council, said:”We’re thrilled that Heathrow has listened to and acted upon our feedback in creating its upgraded expansion plans and that the residents of Spelthorne have been provided a better deal consequently.

Some of the 16 billion of private money being invested will also be utilized to encourage the Environment Agency in developing flood prevention schemes to protect homes and property in the surrounding areas.

The airport has also announced plans to fund a new bypass to replace the existing A3044 at Colnbrook and Poyle to alleviate congestion difficulties.

John Holland-Kaye, chief executive of Heathrow said:”The growth of Heathrow can bring significant benefits for local individuals in addition to the UK economy.

“Along with bringing 50,000 new jobs and 10,000 apprenticeships, we can also improve the environmental landscape around the airport and mitigate some of today’s problems including road congestion and flood. We continue to improve our plans based on the feedback we get.”

The Airports Commission is currently assessing the case for growth of Heathrow or Gatwick.

“As well as bringing 50,000 new jobs and 10,000 apprenticeships, we can also improve the environmental landscape around the airport and mitigate some of today’s problems including road congestion and flooding. We continue to improve our plans based on the feedback we receive.”

The Airports Commission is currently assessing the case for expansion of either Heathrow or Gatwick.