The inquiry into a fifth terminal at Heathrow was one of the longest yet seen.

Some 700 people gave evidence, 27,000 leters were received and 12 million sheets of paper were used before the inquiry handed its findings to the goverment.

BBC News Online gives you this potted guide to the arguments for and against the billion pound proposal.

 FOR  Source BAA			 AGAINST  Source Friends of the Earth
	Growth: Demand for air travel in south-east England is forecast to double in the next 20 years, making expansion vital.			Growth: BAA forecasts are misleading and will lead to uncontrolled expansion, rather than targeting better solutions such as using space at other airports.
	The economy: The UK will lose airlines and investment to European rivals if it does not meet demand. The benefits of a world-beating industry would be diminished.			The economy: Heathrow already has the biggest capacity in Europe, and ambitions to extend its lead are merely "commercial prestige".
	Jobs: The project will create or safeguard 16,500 jobs, as well as creating 6,000 construction jobs during the building phase.			Jobs: Only 6,000 jobs will be created - a tiny fraction of all the new jobs in the South East. Local studies say jobs will increase even without a fifth terminal.
	Transport The terminal will be the centre of a world-class transport interchange, with new Tube and rail links. Car traffic would rise only slightly.			Transport There will be a significant increase in road-widening and car parks to cater for the tens of thousands of extra car journeys to the airport every year.
	Environment The site is currently a disused sludge works, and any displaced wildlife and plant life will be carefully relocated.			Environment Air pollution will increase significantly, and hundreds of acres of wildlife and Green Belt land will be lost forever.
	Noise and night flights BAA promise no increase in overall noise levels or in night flying. The number of flights would rise only 8%.			Noise and night flights More flights will mean more noise under the flight paths, and the pressure for controversial night flights and a third runway will increase.