Airplotters Q & A
Update May 13 2010: We've won - new government cancels Heathrow 3rd runway project!
What is the Airplot?
Back in January 2009, Greenpeace joined with Emma Thompson, Alistair McGowan and Zac Goldsmith to buy a plot of land in the middle of the site where BAA wants to build a third runway. And we called it Airplot.
We bought the plot to make sure that climate change cannot be ignored. At full capacity, Heathrow would become the largest single source of greenhouse gas emissions in the whole country. We can't let this happen if we are serious about tackling climate change.
What is 'beneficial ownership'?
A piece of land or property can only be registered in the names of a maximum of four people. These are the "legal owners" of the land. However, these people can own the land on behalf of any number of "beneficial owners". Effectively, this means that the land can be collectively owned on behalf of thousands of people from across the world. We have created a system of collective ownership for Airplot so that we can all firmly stand together to stop the runway plans. Together, our voices will be much stronger.
A Declaration of Trust has been signed by one of Greenpeace's directors (on behalf of Greenpeace UK Ltd), Emma, Alistair and Zac which officially makes everyone who signed up into Beneficial Owners of the Airplot. Beneficial Owners are all people who associate themselves with the campaign to stop the expansion of Heathrow airport.
What happens next?
Working together with the diverse and huge coalition of groups and individuals who are opposed to a third runway we are winning the moral and political campaign to stop the runway. With your help we think we can win this campaign in the near future. If the third runway is cancelled we have promised to return the land to its previous owner and focus our efforts on other threats to the climate and the planet.
But if the new government doesn't drop plans for the third runway, we'll continue to fight the runway through the national infrastructure planning process. And we are prepared to take peaceful direct action to block construction if we have to. So we've asked architects and designers to come up with proposals for ways that will help us defend the site.
As a Beneficial Owner you are associating yourself with the campaign to stop expansion at Heathrow airport. As such, you have a right to lend your voice within the campaign and participate within the planning process or CPO process. As owners, if we all act collectively we will be more powerful within the process. However, you are not obliged to exercise these rights and you do not have any financial obligations.
But how will we stop the runway being built? What's the timescale?
The legal process to try and take away our land, if it ever happens, won't begin for several years. We are confident that we could win the campaign in the very near future. However, if a new government doesn't drop plans for the third runway, we'll continue to fight the runway through the national infrastructure planning process. And we are prepared to take peaceful direct action to block construction if we have to. So we've asked architects and designers to come up with proposals for ways that will help us defend the site.
If a planning application is submitted, it will be considered under the new planning system, to be brought in under the Planning Act 2008. This hugely controversial new law is still in the process of being implemented. It is likely that the application will go to a new quango, the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC). It is not entirely clear how the IPC will deal with applications such as the Heathrow runway application, but it is likely that they will also consider any Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPO) that BAA will need to get the land for a third runway.
Once the application has been put in by BAA, there is likely to be some kind of planning and compulsory purchase inquiry under the new planning law, but no-one yet knows quite what form this will take. Whatever its form, we will try to make sure the true impact of climate change is considered by that inquiry - and therefore that the application is rejected.
However, if the application is granted, then we'll be doing all we can to make it as difficult as we can for them to take the land from us. We will object within the CPO process and if it comes to it, we are prepared to take peaceful direct action to stop the bulldozers.
If we get to this stage, we will call on people to come down, help defend the site physically, and support others who are doing so in whatever way they can. But that would be years down the line, and hopefully it'll never come to that. In the meantime, the most important thing you can do as a Beneficial Owner is take part in the ongoing Airplot campaign - helping us to put as much pressure as possible on the new government and the other parties to get the decision to build the runway overturned.
What's a CPO?
A CPO - short for Compulsory Purchase Order - is an order issued by a local planning authority, the government, or other public body, to acquire land or buildings compulsorily, (often against the wishes of the owner) for "public interest purposes". For example, it might be to enable the government to build a new road, or a local authority to redevelop certain brownfield sites. Obviously, there is severe doubt about the basis of any CPO issued to build a runway that is against the public's and the planet's interests.
As a Beneficial Owner can I visit the land?
We want to be sensitive to the needs of the local community, who are facing the destruction of their village. We'd like to give them as quiet a life as possible, and so we are not allowing people to visit the land without the permission of the four legal owners. However, we will try to facilitate visits to the Airplot whenever possible and we hope that as a Beneficial Owner you will help us with the campaign in other ways as described above.
Do I have any financial responsibilities?
No. The four legal owners - Emma, Alistair, Zac and Greenpeace take financial responsibility on behalf of all the Beneficial Owners.
If a CPO is issued, will BAA/the government have to contact all of us?
We believe they should, as you have an interest in the land.
What happens if the land gets bought out under a CPO to build the runway?
Then Greenpeace will prepare to take peaceful non-violent direct action, to be there to stop the bulldozers. We hope that that you will consider coming to help us or to support those that do. But we hope it never comes to that.
What happens to the land if the runway doesn't get built?
We will celebrate! The land will be returned to its previous owner, and Greenpeace will decide where its energies should be put next...
I don't want to be a Beneficial Owner anymore, can you take me off the list?
Yes. You are under no obligation to continue being a Beneficial Owner if you do not wish to be. You just need to let us know.
My friend/relative wants to be a Beneficial Owner, are they too late?
We're sorry but yes - but you can share your beneficial ownership with your friend or relative - we can make you jointly Beneficial Owners.
Can I transfer my ownership to one of my relatives or a friend?
Yes - just let us know their details and your details and we will transfer your Beneficial Ownership over to them.
Can my rights be inherited or passed on to someone else?
Yes - but you must give us notice of the new name.
Can I add my wife or husband's name to my entry?
Yes, we can make you joint Beneficial Owners.
What proof do I have that I'm a Beneficial Owner?
Your name is included within the declaration of trust, signed by Alistair, Emma, Zac and the legal representative of Greenpeace UK. We are sending certificates to everyone over the next couple of weeks - mainly by email. You can then print and keep your certificate. You should receive it by the end of May.
What does the land look like and what is happening on the land?
The plot is a small field in the heart of Sipson village. Check out our Flickr Set for photos of the plot.