A group of MPs has said it 'beggars belief' a third runway at Heathrow is on the table given the airport is already Europe's biggest noise polluter.
The cross-party group also suggested the existing impact of aircraft noise had been seriously underestimated because it is not being measured properly.
Members called for a raft of measures to address the existing blight and to ensure the true impact is taken into account when considering the case for a third runway.
The All Party Parliamentary Group on Heathrow and the Wider Economy published its report 'Noise from Heathrow Airport' on Thursday (December 18).
It calls for aircraft noise to be measured more accurately and for more details about proposed new flight paths and the impact of new technology on noise, among other issues.
The foreword to the report, which describes the airport as the biggest noise polluter in Europe, concludes: "In the view of the clear evidence of the negative effect on the colossal population of London it simply beggars belief that Heathrow is again under consideration."
The group is chaired by Richmond Park MP Zac Goldsmith, who is an outspoken opponent of a third runway at Heathrow, and its members include Brentford and Isleworth MP Mary Macleod.
Mr Goldsmith said: "This inquiry looked only at one problem associated with Heathrow expansion, and has identified important gaps in the Heathrow proposals.
"Among other serious problems, it is completely unacceptable that we are discussing expansion of the airport without any clear information about who will be affected by the new flight paths.
"Hundreds of thousands of residents will be badly affected, and at this stage, they nothing about it. As a cross-party group we will be pressing for a firm response from the Government, the Airports Commission and Heathrow itself."
The report includes the following points:
* Noise from Heathrow is still not measured using the World Health Organisation's internationally accepted formula, which more accurately indicates the true impact on people's lives
* No information has been given about the new flight paths should a third runway be built
* The impact of aircraft noise must take into account London's growing population, which is expected to increase by a third by 2050
* Without a third runway, Heathrow has no plans to end night flights, despite these ruining the sleep of the airport's neighbours
* Heathrow's predictions of quieter planes are based on assumptions which cannot be justified. It must confirm whether stronger incentives are needed to encourage airlines to use the quietest jets
* The Airports Commission and the Government must assure all those living under current and proposed flight paths they will be consulted before the commission gives its final recommendation next summer
The Airports Commission is considering the case for a third runway at Heathrow, along with that for a second landing strip at Gatwick, and is due to make its final recommendations next summer.
