The Arora Group has unveiled alternative plans to develop new terminal buildings at Heathrow Airport.

The 'Western Hub' proposals have been developed as part of the Group's bid to undertake the airport expansion project.

The developer estimates its proposals will cost £14.4 billion; less than half of the project £31bn cost by the Airports Commission.

Designed by international architects Corgan, the new terminals are designed to provide capacity for over 50million additional passengers and allow Heathrow to compete with other hub airports post-Brexit, such as Amsterdam Schiphol and Paris-Charles De Gaulle.

The plans concentrate new terminal capacity on the western side of Heathrow, between the existing Terminal 5 (T5) and the M25, thus according to Arora avoiding the need to redevelop Terminals 2 and 3 which would be "far more expensive and disruptive".

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Instead of new, independent terminal buildings, the Western Hub integrates new passenger facilities with Terminal 5 into a single hub campus. A new central concourse will serve as a single front door for millions of passengers using the Western Hub.

Arora stated; "This building will be a magnificent and vibrant grand space, designed to amaze passengers and capture the excitement of air travel. It will provide efficient check-in facilities and compelling commercial amenities, and will include one of the UK's largest and most important rail interchanges.

"The central concourse will provide fast and easy access to both Terminal 5 and to the new Terminal 6, with an elevated bridge concourse providing panoramic views over the airfield for passengers, and easy navigation underneath for aircraft."

Surinder Arora, Founder & Chairman, said the Group has worked closely with airlines as well as employing the world's best and most experienced airport designers.

"Heathrow has been in monopoly control for too long and our proposals show what can be achieved through an alternative approach and Heathrow fully welcoming competition," he said.

(LM/MH)