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Environmental protest at airport Environmental protest at airport
(10 minutes later)
A group of environmental protestors are staging a demonstration against what they claim is the proposed expansion of Southampton Airport.A group of environmental protestors are staging a demonstration against what they claim is the proposed expansion of Southampton Airport.
The group of about seven people from the anti-aviation group Plane Stupid have chained themselves to the entrance of the airport in Hampshire.The group of about seven people from the anti-aviation group Plane Stupid have chained themselves to the entrance of the airport in Hampshire.
Police confirmed details of the protest and said they were in attendance.Police confirmed details of the protest and said they were in attendance.
Protestors said they had submitted an application with the local council to turn the airport into refugee housing.Protestors said they had submitted an application with the local council to turn the airport into refugee housing.
A spokesman for Eastleigh Borough Council said it had not received any such planning application.A spokesman for Eastleigh Borough Council said it had not received any such planning application.
The group said they had erected tents outside the airport as part of the protest to highlight rising passenger numbers.The group said they had erected tents outside the airport as part of the protest to highlight rising passenger numbers.
Flights unaffected 'Serious threat'
BAA, which owns Southampton Airport, expects passenger numbers to grow from 1.84 million per year in 2005 to 3.05 million by 2015.BAA, which owns Southampton Airport, expects passenger numbers to grow from 1.84 million per year in 2005 to 3.05 million by 2015.
Plane Stupid spokesman Pete Barker said: "People in the UK fly more per capita than anyone else, so the UK aviation industry has the greatest responsibility for the consequences of climate change.Plane Stupid spokesman Pete Barker said: "People in the UK fly more per capita than anyone else, so the UK aviation industry has the greatest responsibility for the consequences of climate change.
"It makes perfect sense for Southampton to take on the burden of housing some of the world's climate refugees."It makes perfect sense for Southampton to take on the burden of housing some of the world's climate refugees.
Today's action by Plane Stupid is misdirected and irresponsible Spokesman for Flying Matters
"It's crazy to imagine that we can tackle the serious threat posed by runaway climate change whilst still allowing airports to expand.""It's crazy to imagine that we can tackle the serious threat posed by runaway climate change whilst still allowing airports to expand."
Mr Barker wants an increase in investment in railways instead.Mr Barker wants an increase in investment in railways instead.
He said an estimated 1.3 million people in impoverished parts of the world were expected to become refugees because of rising sea levels, flooding, drought and famine.He said an estimated 1.3 million people in impoverished parts of the world were expected to become refugees because of rising sea levels, flooding, drought and famine.
A spokesman for Flying Matters, a coalition in favour of sustainable growth in air travel, criticised the protest.
He said: "Today's action by Plane Stupid is misdirected and irresponsible.
"Aviation is responsible for 2% of global carbon emissions and is growing at a slower global rate than power generation and industry.
"These protesters seem more interested in chasing tomorrow's headlines and wasting police time than serious solutions to climate change."
A spokeswoman for the airport said: "There is a small group of protesters at the entrance to Southampton Airport.A spokeswoman for the airport said: "There is a small group of protesters at the entrance to Southampton Airport.
"Operations at the airport are not affected, and passengers should check-in as normal.""Operations at the airport are not affected, and passengers should check-in as normal."