Politicians, campaigners and members of the public came together for the launch of a new action group against plans to expand Heathrow Airport.

More than 80 people attended the inaugural Stop Heathrow Expansion (SHE) meeting at St Mary's Church, in High Street, Harmondsworth, last night (Thursday, November 13).

Among them was Hayes and Harlington MP John McDonnell, who called on political parties to 'come clean' about their positions regarding the airport's expansion before the general election in 2015.

He also urged those affected by the proposals to 'mobilise' and demonstrate 'people power'.

He said: "We are not going to let this [expansion] happen. Of course we thought we had finished it off last time. I thought my days of swinging the mace were over, but they have come back.

"The one thing we can rely on is our own power – people power – because that's how we won it last time."

The group has been established by residents from Heathrow Villages to unite individuals and organisations opposed to either building a third runway at Heathrow or extending one of the airport's existing runways – two of the three options being considered by the Airports Commission.

The meeting heard that building a third runway would mean an extra 260,000 flights a year at the airport, creating added noise and air pollution, as well as around 750 homes being destroyed to make way for the project.

Introducing the group, SHE chairman Neil Keveren said: "Our aims are very simple: to stop the expansion of Heathrow.

"We do not want the closure of Heathrow. We never have. Equally, we do not accept it is a case of 'Heathrow must grow or die.'"

He added: "It is not the role of SHE to find an alternative. We are just here fighting for our own homes and everything we believe in."

Various speakers detailed the negative impacts they believe any expansion of the airport would have, from increased noise and air pollution to the demolition of homes, green spaces and historic buildings.

SHE treasurer Justine Bayley said: "Once it's gone, it's gone – and we need to make sure we hold onto our heritage."

She added: "There are lots of old buildings, important buildings, around here... deep history in this area, and I would like to see that continue on, not come to a full-stop because of the short-term whim of foreign investors."

Also speaking were SHE committee member Bryan Tomlinson; Stewart Pomeroy, programme manager for Colne Valley Park, which would be impacted by any expansion; activist Christine Taylor; Robert Barnstone, of the Heathrow Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise (HACAN); and Hillingdon Council leader Councillor Ray Puddifoot.

Councillor Puddifoot said: "I wish you didn't have to have SHE and it's a pity that we have to start the fight again."

The meeting also heard that among those who had expressed their support for the group but could not attend were writer Will Self, writer and broadcaster Lucinda Lambton and the organisation Greenpeace.