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Protesters buy up Heathrow land Protesters buy up Heathrow land
(20 minutes later)
Land earmarked for the construction of Heathrow's third runway has been bought by anti-expansion protesters.Land earmarked for the construction of Heathrow's third runway has been bought by anti-expansion protesters.
Land the size of half a football pitch near Sipson village - which would lose hundreds of homes in the expansion - was bought by a Greenpeace coalition.Land the size of half a football pitch near Sipson village - which would lose hundreds of homes in the expansion - was bought by a Greenpeace coalition.
They have pledged not to sell the land to the government or BAA if the airport expansion gets the go-ahead.They have pledged not to sell the land to the government or BAA if the airport expansion gets the go-ahead.
Greenpeace director John Sauven said: "We've thrown a massive spanner in the engine driving Heathrow expansion."Greenpeace director John Sauven said: "We've thrown a massive spanner in the engine driving Heathrow expansion."
The campaigners - including actress Emma Thompson, Tory front bench spokeswoman Justine Greening, Lib Dem MP Susan Kramer and impressionist Alistair McGowan - bought the land for an undisclosed fee.The campaigners - including actress Emma Thompson, Tory front bench spokeswoman Justine Greening, Lib Dem MP Susan Kramer and impressionist Alistair McGowan - bought the land for an undisclosed fee.
We'll stop this from happening even if we have to move in and plant vegetables Emma Thompson Battle lines drawn over Heathrow They have said plans to increase flights at the airport from 480,000 to 720,000 would create unacceptable noise and pollution.We'll stop this from happening even if we have to move in and plant vegetables Emma Thompson Battle lines drawn over Heathrow They have said plans to increase flights at the airport from 480,000 to 720,000 would create unacceptable noise and pollution.
But BBC transport correspondent Tom Symonds said recent planning legislation included clauses that allowed the courts to consider whether or not a land purchase that blocked planned development was "vexatious or frivolous".But BBC transport correspondent Tom Symonds said recent planning legislation included clauses that allowed the courts to consider whether or not a land purchase that blocked planned development was "vexatious or frivolous".
This could, in turn, scupper Greenpeace's plans to obstruct the construction for years.This could, in turn, scupper Greenpeace's plans to obstruct the construction for years.
Mr Symonds said the government was due to rule on the plans as early as this week. Our correspondent said the government was due to rule on the plans as early as this week.
The airport industry, business and union leaders have said 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.The airport industry, business and union leaders have said 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.
Court challengeCourt challenge
Ms Thompson said: "I don't understand how any government remotely serious about committing to reversing climate change can even consider these ridiculous plans.Ms Thompson 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."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.""We'll stop this from happening even if we have to move in and plant vegetables."
Protesters have written the words "our climate - our land" on the plot.Protesters have written the words "our climate - our land" on the plot.
Mr Sauven said the group of new landowners would challenge any attempt by the government to force them to sell: "As the new owners of the land where the government wants to build the runway, we'll resist all attempts at compulsory purchase.Mr Sauven said the group of new landowners would challenge any attempt by the government to force them to sell: "As the new owners of the land where the government wants to build the runway, we'll resist all attempts at compulsory purchase.
"The legal owners of the site will block the runway at every stage through the planning process and in the courts.""The legal owners of the site will block the runway at every stage through the planning process and in the courts."