The west London council confirmed that it had been approached by BAA over the accommodation issue.
In a statement, it said: “We can confirm the council is in discussion with BAA about plans for housing that initially would be allocated for key employees selected by BAA and afterwards used by families from Hillingdon with housing needs.”
BAA, which has faced a problem over accommodation for workers travelling in from long distances, announced this week that it intended to look for temporary accommodation.
BAA said it was awaiting guidance from Hillingdon council as to what kind of homes would be built for the workers.
In a statement, BAA said: “For those travelling from further afield, BAA is consulting with the local authorities on proposals for construction worker accommodation in the near vicinity of the Terminal 5 site.”
BAA said the accommodation could also include caravan and other temporary housing. It said appropriate facilities would be provided and the site would be properly managed.
Unions have repeatedly raised concerns with BAA about the transport problems facing the thousands of construction workers planning to live on the project. Amicus national construction officer Paul Corby said putting large groups of men together could cause problems and might encourage a drink-and-drugs culture.
But UCATT general secretary George Brumwell said temporary communal accommodation was a tried and tested way of providing housing on big projects and could do the trick.
He said: “I don’t imagine there would be big problems, as the behaviour of the workers would be safeguarded by the high standards of the client and contractors involved on the project.”
BAA says it still aims to maximise the use of local labour on the T5 project.
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