Emma Thompson buys land to scupper Heathrow expansion (From Your Local Guardian)

Emma Thompson buys land to scupper Heathrow expansion

12:10am Tuesday 13th January 2009 in

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A coalition of celebs, environmentalists, and politicians have bought land earmarked for the construction of a proposed third runway in a bid to stop the Heathrow’s expansion.

Oscar-winning actress Emma Thompson was joined by impressionist Alistair McGowan, group Greenpeace and others including parliamentary candidate Zac Goldsmith to buy the field north of the aiport.

The campaigners exchanged contracts on the land last week and now legally own the plot - and vow never to sell it to Heathrow’s owners BAA.

The deeds to the site - right at the heart of the Government’s proposed plan for Heathrow expansion - were signed on Friday by Thompson, McGowan, Conservative Party green adviser Zac Goldsmith and Greenpeace director John Sauven.

Mr Goldsmith said: “At every stage, this Government has ignored public opinion and the science of climate change. "It pushed through a sham consultation, relied on a hopelessly flawed economic model, and has danced shamelessly to BAA’s tune.

"The decision to expand Heathrow is an affront to democracy. That’s why we’ve joined together to buy a plot on the runway – we’ll fight these plans every step of the way.”

Liberal Democrat MP for Richmond Park Susan Kramer, who is also leading her party’s campaign against Heathrow’s expansion, has signed up to become a beneficial owner of the site. She said: "We will never give up this battle. We will use every weapon from tactics like this land purchase to taking the Government to court."

"The battles for quality of life in our area and on climate change are simply too important for us to give up. The Government brought this fight to us, but they will regret it."

"My constituents stand to suffer so much more noise, pollution and disturbance if the Government gives the go ahead for these plans, and in signing up to purchase this land I am representing them."

Actress Emma Thompson, star of romantic drama Last Chance Harvey, said: "I don't understand how any Government remotely serious about committing to reversing climate change can even consider these ridiculous plans. It's laughably hypocritical. That's why we've bought a plot on the runway. We'll stop this from happening even if we have to move in and plant vegetables."

TV impressionist and Barnes resident Alistair McGowan said: "BAA were so confident of getting the Government's go ahead, but we have cunningly bought the land they need to build their runway. Now that we own it, we'll never sell it to them and we're confident that we'll be joined by people from all over the world who will help us defend it."

He added: "This isn't just about the destruction of Sipson but the destruction of the world as we know it."

A spokesman for Heathrow said: "Until the Government makes a policy decision, questions around legal standing on potential property purchases are purely hypothetical.

“BAA has put schemes in place to deal with the difficult issues facing local residents and if growth proceeds, we are committed to working with the community in a sensitive manner."

"Whether you are flying to LA to go the Golden Globes or flying to Shanghai for business you need a large network of long haul flights, this is why we believe growth at Heathrow is necessary".

• Watch a video of Zac Goldsmith talking about the the scheme

• Watch an interview with Alistair McGowan about the land buy