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Emma Thompson, Others Try to Foil Heathrow Plans

Group opposed to plan aims to drag project into legal quicksand

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 13, 2009 3:52 PM CST

(Newser) – A high-profile coalition led by Greenpeace has purchased a soccer field-sized piece of land intended to become part of a new runway for London’s Heathrow airport, the Times reports. The group intends to parcel out the land to thousands of individual owners, dragging out any attempt to buy it back. “We’ll stop this from happening even if we have to move in and plant vegetables,” said actress Emma Thompson, one of several big names who donated to the cause.

The expansion, backed by Prime Minister Gordon Brown, has numerous detractors in the environmental community and the opposition political parties. In addition to concerns about emissions and noise pollution, they oppose the bulldozing of 2,000 homes necessary for the project. “An airport brings good things and bad things,” Heathrow’s owner said. ”No one can possibly take any pleasure in the destruction that construction can cause.”

Thousands of campaigners formed a no sign at the village of Sipson.
Thousands of campaigners formed a "no" sign at the village of Sipson.   (AP Photo)
A plane takes off behind Greenpeace's slogan on a plot of land in Sipson, north of Heathrow Airport, in west London.
A plane takes off behind Greenpeace's slogan on a plot of land in Sipson, north of Heathrow Airport, in west London.   (AP Photo)
Greenpeace Climate Campaigner Anna Jones poses for photographs on the land just bought.
Greenpeace Climate Campaigner Anna Jones poses for photographs on the land just bought.   (AP Photo)
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, left, accompanied by Energy and Climate Change secretary Ed Miliband at Heathrow.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, left, accompanied by Energy and Climate Change secretary Ed Miliband at Heathrow.   (AP Photo)
A British Airways airplane, top, along with others queue to land at  London Heathrow Airport.
A British Airways airplane, top, along with others queue to land at London Heathrow Airport.   (AP Photo)
A British Airways plane comes in to land at Heathrow Airport, over a nearby neighborhood.
A British Airways plane comes in to land at Heathrow Airport, over a nearby neighborhood.   (AP Photo)
A British Airways plane comes in to land at Heathrow Airport in London.
A British Airways plane comes in to land at Heathrow Airport in London.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
riffran
Jan 15, 2009 5:37 AM CST
I wonder if they will use gas powered tillers to plant "veggies".....rofl....all kidding aside...that is one shrewd tactic, but the "even if we have to plant vegatables", cracks me up....
Newser001
Jan 13, 2009 8:45 PM CST
Simply brilliant!

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