Research scientists are urging for a review into how the new flights at Heathrow will affect Richmond Park’s wildlife.

Dr Hansjoerg Kunc and Dr Rouven Schmidt from Queen's University, Belfast said that after almost a decade of conducting research – Heathrow’s decision makers still had “little awareness” into what the effects of anthropogenic noises could have on animals and humans.

The researchers also revealed that the potential effects of loud noise on Richmond Park – which also provides a home to thousands of different species, should not be underestimated.

Kunc & Schmidt's published research studies to see examples of the adverse impacts on different songbirds, owls and bats species.

Many species in Richmond Park currently breed successfully whereas some species are rare and therefore - legally protected.

Ron Crompton, Chairman of conservation charity Friends of Richmond Park said: “We're grateful to Doctors Kunc and Schmidt for comprehensively illustrating the adverse impacts that the proposed new low and loud Heathrow flight paths could have on Richmond Park's rich wildlife.”

More than 60 bird species use Richmond Park for nesting – those of which include two owl species and up to 11 of the UK's 18 bat species have been recorded.

Mr Crompton continued: “We are calling on Heathrow to conduct a full and detailed environmental impact assessment.

“Their current consultation's environmental assessment of Richmond Park is sketchy at best – for example, it looks only at beetles and ignores the numerous other species their flight plans will impact.

“They have done no research into the Park and so have no real evidence for their assertions there will be no impact.”

Richmond Park is not only a National Nature Reserve but is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation.

It is the largest urban park in Europe and is visited by over 5.5 million Londoners and others each year who come for the rich wildlife, ancient trees, protected grasslands and peace and tranquillity.

In June, psychologist Dr Alison Greenwood wrote about her concerns over the new flight proposals and how it would impact upon the mental health and wellbeing of human visitors to Richmond Park.

Crompton concludes: “Richmond Park is a last refuge for nature in the busy, noisy, polluted metropolis for wildlife.

“It's an essential reservoir of species migrating out to other areas of London.

“We challenge Heathrow to prove to Londoners that the new and increased low flights over Richmond Park will not damage the wildlife”.

However, in June Heathrow’s ‘masterplan consultation’ outlined the scope of issue’s – which included environmental impacts such as biodiversity, that the airport must address in its planning application.

A spokesman for Heathrow said: “Our consultation documents have looked at a number of wide-ranging environmental factors – including preliminary assessments of the impacts on biodiversity for Richmond Park.

“The next stage of the planning process will provide greater detail.”

The airport is currently consulting its preferred masterplan – which includes a Preliminary Environmental Information Report (‘PEIR’).

PEIR is a preliminary analysis that concludes its to date in line with Heathrow’s Planning Inspectorate.

The airport believe further stages of assessment will confirm the likely impacts and the mitigation measures as required as part of our final application for planning consent.

At present all UK airports currently undertake airspace modernisation programmes which is aimed at redesigning flightpaths at airports.

The spokesman added: “Throughout this process Heathrow will continue to develop and agree the assessment criteria used with Natural England and engage with other interested stakeholders.

“We are committed to delivering expansion at Heathrow that meets strict, legally-binding environmental targets.”