nice piece today 15/8/12 on BBC Radio4's You and Yours program. Regarding the new Isle of Grain Airport plan and referencing the 1960's/70's Foulness Island project.
The main points were that in the age of the Jumbo, they new Heathrow would be too small and business lost to AMS,CDG and FRA. Lots of nice pieces regarding noise at LHR (sounds of tridents etc!).
The up shot was 1974 oil crisis put the whole thing to bed, leaving just a test island. Well researched piece.
BBC Radio 4 - You and Yours
from 26:30, enjoy