Minority groups have been handed a last chance to have their say on the proposed expansion of Heathrow.

Ministers have begun consultation on their Equalities Impact Assessment' (EqIA), which will show whether plans to increase flights by up to half might disproportionately affect anyone from black and minority ethnic (BAME) groups to young children.

The Government's initial assessment suggests Heston West, which has above average numbers of children, BAME residents and people with low incomes, would be worst affected by the plans.

However, it predicts people in Bedfont, which has a large number of children and deprived residents, could benefit from improved air quality and the 8,000 jobs expected to be created by the addition of a third runway.

Ministers bowed to pressure from Friends of the Earth and Hounslow Racial Equality Council (REC) in spring by agreeing to carry out an EqIA, delaying a final decision on expansion until at least November.

Seven wards in Hounslow have a BAME population of 63 per cent or above, compared with the London average of 40 per cent, according to figures from the 2001 Census.

Satvinder Buttar, director of Hounslow REC, urged all equality groups to take advantage of the unexpected opportunity.

• Full details of the consultation, which closes on November 9, are available at www.dft.gov.uk/heathrowconsultation or by calling 020 7944 6597.