Environmental protest at airport

Protesters set up a so-called "refugee camp" at Southampton Airport

A group of environmental protesters have been arrested following a demonstration against rising passenger numbers at Southampton Airport.

Seven people from the anti-aviation group Plane Stupid chained themselves to the entrance of the Hampshire airport.

Police attended and made arrests over aggravated trespass allegations.

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.

'Serious threat'

The group erected tents to make a so-called "refugee camp" outside the airport as part of the protest to highlight rising passenger numbers.

BAA, which owns Southampton Airport, expects passenger numbers to grow from 1.84m per year in 2005 to 3.05m 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.

These protesters seem more interested in chasing tomorrow's headlines... than serious solutions to climate change Spokesman, Flying Matters

"It makes perfect sense for Southampton to take on the burden of housing some of the world's climate refugees.

"It's crazy to imagine that we can tackle the serious threat posed by runaway climate change while still allowing airports to expand."

Mr Barker wants an increase in investment in railways instead.

A spokesman for Flying Matters, a coalition in favour of sustainable growth in air travel, criticised the protest however, saying it was "misdirected and irresponsible".

'Small group'

"Aviation is responsible for 2% of global carbon emissions and is growing at a slower global rate than power generation and industry," he said.

"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.

A spokeswoman for the airport said: "There was a small group of protesters at the entrance to Southampton Airport.

"Operations at the airport were not affected, and passengers should check-in as normal."

The seven in custody are two men, aged 34 and 44, and a woman, aged 32, all from Wareham, Dorset.

A 20-year-old woman from Southampton and a 28-year-old man from Gwent in Wales, have also been arrested.

A 19-year-old woman and a 25-year-old man also being held have not given police their addresses.