Fantastic news! Climate-wrecking plans for a third runway at Heathrow airport have been axed. In a huge victory in the fight for genuine action against catastrophic climate change, the new government has recognized the impact aviation is having on our climate and cancelled the project.
Which means that Airplot, the piece of land slap bang in the middle of the proposed third runway site at Heathrow, collectively owned by thousands of people from around the world, probably won't now be needed.
We planned to use the land to create a significant legal headache for any government which tried to build the runway, and to defend it if necessary. But now it seems we won't have to.
Take Action: We've stopped Heathrow, but other airport expansion plans could still go ahead. First up is Bristol - write to new Transport Minister Phillip Hammond and asking him to stop it going ahead.
...and the Exhibition
Architects from all over the world, as well as members of the public, rose to the challenge and submitted a huge array of ingenious and beautiful designs. The contest was judged by a panel of top architects, engineers and environmentalists. The shortlisted entries will go on public exhibition at the Bargehouse on London's South Bank. The exhibition will also chronicle how one of the biggest environmental campaigns of the last decade was won
It is open daily 11am-6pm, from Wednesday 2nd June to Sunday 6th June. Admission is free.
The Heathrow Contest...
In January we organised two competitions to build a structure to fortify and enhance the Airplot: one for architects and architecture students, and one open to everyone. The competition closed on 23 April, and we were overwhelmed with entries! We asked for exemplary pieces of sustainable and practical design, and you delivered some beauties.
Even though the 3rd Heathrow runway is now dead in the water, other airport expansions are still planned around the country. We'll be there to stop them, deploying the winning design if necessary...
More about the Plot: The Orchard
Putting down yet more roots into the plot, the orchard makes a link between the past and present of Heathrow (as well as providing tasty apples for years to come).
The Allotment
The last time Richard Briers wielded a spade it was in TV classic The Good Life. But for Airplot he's come out of retirement to dig up Gordon Brown's runway and build us an allotment.
Are you an Airplotter? They are...
