Airports expansion plans challenged

Heathrow could get a third runway

Government proposals to expand airports in the South East are being challenged at a conference in London's City Hall.

Expanding Heathrow is one of a number of options that have been put forward by the Department for Transport (DfT).

Others include a new four-runway airport at Cliffe near the River Thames in north Kent, and up to three new runways at Stansted airport in Essex.

Saturday's conference is being hosted by Darren Johnson, leader of the Greens in the London Assembly, and Caroline Lucas, Green MEP for the South East.

Protest groups

The government proposals are designed to cope with a predicted rise in demand for air travel over the next 30 years.

Protest groups have already formed, with reports that 10,000 homes around Heathrow will have to be demolished because of a massive increase in air pollution.

Caroline Lucas said: "It is no good just opposing the expansion of individual airports - we have to come together to challenge the whole ethos of unquestioned growth in aviation.

"The government seems prepared to cover the whole country in concrete in their quest to support the industry."

Celebrity support

Mike Fawcett, head of airports policy for the DfT is also speaking at the conference together with campaigners from Friends of the Earth, Transport 2000 and the CPRE.

Meanwhile, musician and TV presenter Jools Holland is lending his support to the RSPB No Airport at Cliffe campaign.

He is visiting the site which is internationally important for wildlife.

"If the government do not reject these ill-conceived planning proposals, surely all of the UK's natural heritage is under threat", he said.