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Environmental protest at airport Environmental protest at airport
(about 2 hours 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 protesters have been arrested following a demonstration against rising passenger numbers at 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. At least seven people from the anti-aviation group Plane Stupid chained themselves to the entrance of the Hampshire airport in the morning.
Police confirmed details of the protest and said they were in attendance. Police attended and made arrests for aggravated trespass.
Protestors said they had submitted an application with the local council to turn the airport into refugee housing. Protesters 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 erected tents outside the airport as part of the protest to highlight rising passenger numbers.
'Serious threat''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
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 while 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.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.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."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.""These protesters seem more interested in chasing tomorrow's headlines and wasting police time than serious solutions to climate change."
Police used cutting equipment to free the protesters who had chained themselves to the airport entrance.
The also detained people on suspicion of breach of airport by-laws and breach of health and safety regulations.
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."