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600-Year-Old Barn Faces Demolition Threat
23 Aug
Summary
- A 600-year-old medieval barn faces destruction due to airport vibrations.
- The New Barn at Harmondsworth is England's largest surviving timber-framed barn.
- Campaigners warn of severe damage from aircraft vibrations near Heathrow.
A 600-year-old medieval barn, England's largest surviving timber-framed structure, is at risk from vibrations associated with the Heathrow airport expansion. Campaigners warn that the New Barn at Harmondsworth, built in 1426, could be severely damaged by aircraft noise and tremors from a potential third runway.
The barn, described as a 'cathedral' by Sir John Betjeman, boasts nearly complete original timbers and is of immense historical significance. Its proximity to the airport's proposed expansion boundary, mere hundreds of metres away, raises serious concerns about its structural integrity.
Public consultation on the Heathrow expansion, which includes a national policy statement amendment, is ongoing, with objections to be submitted by September 1. Activists highlight that Heathrow's status as critical national infrastructure may lead to environmental and climate change legislation being disregarded.
Concerns are also raised about the demolition of local villages and the impact of vibrations on existing properties. A Heathrow spokesperson stated that potential impacts would be examined in detail during the consultation process, with necessary mitigations considered.
