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Protesters scale parliament roof | Protesters scale parliament roof |
(10 minutes later) | |
An environmental group opposed to airport expansion have staged a protest on the roof of the Scottish Parliament. | An environmental group opposed to airport expansion have staged a protest on the roof of the Scottish Parliament. |
A man and a woman from Plane Stupid Scotland has scaled the front of the Holyrood building in Edinburgh. | A man and a woman from Plane Stupid Scotland has scaled the front of the Holyrood building in Edinburgh. |
The pair are sitting on the canopy at the parliament and have unfurled a banner reading: "Planestopping. Choose a future. Say no to airport expansion". | The pair are sitting on the canopy at the parliament and have unfurled a banner reading: "Planestopping. Choose a future. Say no to airport expansion". |
Plane Stupid said the protest was over the the government's consultation process for major developments. | Plane Stupid said the protest was over the the government's consultation process for major developments. |
The protest was timed to coincide with the end of the consultation on the National Planning Framework proposals, which finishes on Tuesday. | |
The climate scientists have made it clear - we have to stop airport expansion. That's why we've taken it to the top Adam WeymouthPlane Stupid | |
The group said it felt the process was "incompatible" with the Scottish Government's current plans to mitigate climate change. | |
A spokesman for Lothian and Borders Police said: "We have been aware of a couple of protesters with a banner on the roof of the Scottish Parliament. | |
"We currently have officers in attendance dealing with the situation." | |
The protesters, Adam Weymouth and Matilda Gifford, both 23, got on to the roof of the Scottish Parliament just before 0900 BST on Monday. | |
Mr Weymouth said: "We are facing a runaway climate threat but the Scottish Government's reaction is to triple air traffic and expand Glasgow and Edinburgh Airports whilst conveniently excluding aviation from the Scottish Climate Bill. | |
"The climate scientists have made it clear - we have to stop airport expansion That's why we've taken it to the top." | |
Plane Stupid said it was opposed to the Scottish Government's National Planning Framework proposals. | |
Under this, ministers would have the final say on major national developments. | |
Aviation emissions | |
Improvements to Glasgow and Edinburgh Airports are among the infrastructure schemes identified in the framework. | |
The protest group said it was against the plans as public or parliamentary approval would be "by-passed". | |
Miss Gifford said: "The environmental and democratic credibility of this framework is zero. Without reducing aviation and emissions there will be no future to plan for." | |
The Scottish Government has set the target of an 80% reduction in Scottish emissions by 2050. | |
A Holyrood spokeswoman said: "The parliament is in constant communication with Lothian and Borders Police on the matter, as they are responsible for public safety outside the building. | |
"The handling of all situations is based on risk assessment in conjunction with Lothian and Borders Police and the evolving situation. | |
"As neither public access, parliamentary business nor the building are at risk, the parliament is considered secure." |