14 January 2009

Protesters buy land earmarked for Heathrow expansion

Greenpeace has joined forces with a number of celebrities including actress Emma Thompson and conservative green prospective MP Zak Goldsmith to purchase land blocking the way of expansion at London Heathrow.

The Greenpeace coalition purchased a piece of land the size of half a football pitch near Sipson village, which would lose hundreds of homes in the expansion.

Greenpeace director John Sauven said the purchase "threw a massive spanner" into the multi-billion pound expansion plan thought to involve another runway and another terminal building.

The group says it will fight to defend the land against attempts to negate the purchase and it is understood that plans to build a honeycomb of tunnels are being discussed.

Emma Thompson is quoted as saying: Ã¢â¬ÅâœWe'll stop this from happening, even if we have to move in and plant vegetables."

However, recent planning legislation includes clauses which would allow courts to consider whether or not a land purchase that blocks planned development is "vexatious or frivolous".

The purchase comes at a time where the UK government is actively discussing the controversial issue. A decision is thought to be forthcoming this week.

Plans to expand the airport would see flights increase from 480,000 to 720,000.

Airline industry, business and union leaders argue that Heathrow's expansion is vital for the British economy's long-term competitiveness and supporters have suggested work on the runway could create up to 65,000 jobs.

More than 40 MPs from the ruling Labour party and London Mayor Boris Johnson, a member of the main opposition Conservatives, are opposed, arguing there is no economic need for a third runway and it will increase pollution.

By Valere Tjolle