Planned Greenpeace Fortress Aims to Stop Heathrow Runway
Airport officials in London will have a really hard time building that planned third runway once Greenpeace is done building their “impenetrable fortress” right smack in the middle of the land intended for the project. The structure, located on one acre of Greenpeace-owned land, will house and protect airport expansion protesters.
But who’s going to design it? Greenpeace is holding a competition to find the right architect for this high-profile green building.
From Treehugger:
In fact the land is owned by more than 60,000 people. Calling it Airplot, Greenpeace bought the acre and then distributed the ownership which will create enormous legal complexities for the government when they try and expropriate. It’s an orchard and allotment garden now in the village of Sipson. Since the local council supports the anti-airport expansion battle, planning permission for the structure is likely to be granted quickly.
The competition’s brief says “This is a competition to design what could become the next front line in the fight against climate change. We’re looking for a structure that is immovable from which to block the diggers.” Engineers, artists, landscape designers and sculptors will be invited to submit proposals alongside architects. The public has also been invited to contribute their ideas. “Be creative, imaginative, off the wall.”
It’s true that if officials want the expansion to happen badly enough – and they’ve got national government on their side – eventually, they’ll probably find a way to get around this obstacle. But if nothing else, Greenpeace is causing them some major headaches and delays. It’s a fun and creative way to call attention to the issue, which is currently one of Britain’s biggest environmental battles.
Wondering why activists are against the airport expansion in the first place? It’s unnecessary, it will contribute to climate change, and it will destroy a number of communities, requiring the demolition of schools, pubs, shops and at least 750 homes. Learn more at StopHeathrowExpansion.com.
Link Treehugger
Photo credit: Greenpeace
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This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010 at 2:30 pm and is filed under Consciousness, Green Living, Health, Science, Spirituality. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
