How to build an activist base on the Airplot - we need your ideas!

Posted by jamie - 28 January 2010 at 11:59am - Comments

Update April 23: The deadline for this competition has now passed. No further entries are being accepted.

Exhibition: Come and see the Heathrow Contest entries »

Ever since we bought our piece of land on the site of the proposed third runway at Heathrow, we've been receiving suggestions for what to do with it. We've already sunk our roots into it by establishing an allotment and planting an orchard, but now we want to go one step further and for that we want to get your ideas. Watch the video above for more details, and read on for the full lowdown on how to enter the competition.

We want to see how we could fortify the Airplot so that, if the police and the bulldozers come to turf us out, we'll be able to physically block the construction of a new runway. Hopefully it will never come to that, because there's no way a new government can continue to support the runway plans, but we want to be prepared.

So we're running not one but two competitions. One is for architects, landscape architects and architecture students to come up with some practical solutions for how we can defend the land, and the other is open to everyone to let their imaginations off the leash. We want to make sure we get the best ideas out there so whether it's a tower, a tunnel or a bouncy castle, get sketching.

Creativity and brilliant ideas are more important than artistic or technical brilliance so even if you're not Frank Lloyd Wright or Frank Gehry, if you have any inspiration get it down on paper.

As if helping to protect the land wasn't enough (and you'd be doing that on behalf of the 65,000+ beneficial owners), the best entries from the public competition will be showcased alongside the architectural designs at an exhibition in London later in the year. We'll bring one overall winner to the exhibition to see their design on display and one of the apple trees in the Airplot orchard will also be dedicated in their honour.

Find out how to enter (you should also check out the full rules), and get a feel for the Airplot with a 360˚ panorama.

Thinking caps on!

Join the plot
If you're not already a beneficial owner of the Airplot, sign up now and help us build a future, not a runway.

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Defending Your Land

When preparing to defend anything, you first have to look at what you’re defending against.
In Airplot’s case, you’re looking at police officers, police vehicles, construction workers and construction vehicles like diggers etc.
You might also be looking at helicopters.

Defense No 1

Always take a page out of the history books when it comes to defending things. In this case, I turn to the best defensive structure every devised. THE MOAT.
If a moat is deep enough, crossing it with vehicles is impossible unless you have a tank, leaving anyone trying to cross it wet, and there is nothing like wet clothes to dampen the spirit of any would be aggressor.
If the moat is wide enough, bridging it is also a very difficult task.

Defense No 2

What I like to call THE SOAK. This is the area directly after the moats inside edge. Here, making the area drenched with water, swampy and if viable, soaked with oil of some sort, those getting across the moat will hae ahard time moving comfortably.

Defense No 3

THE BARRIER.

This is any structure that separates you from the aggressor, albeit a fence or barbed wire. The barrier is best employed with building a bank, with the barrier at the top. The bank is also good because those poor slippery wet souls who have made it that far will be now heading up hill, if they can.

Defense No 4

Know the ropes!

When faced with a barrier of some sort, a common practice is to attach ropes to it and then have vehicles pull it down. Be ready to cut those cables or ropes.

Defense No 5

Defending somewhere isn’t all about barriers and wire and muddy ground. Its also about lasting. Supplies of fresh water, food and an independent power supply are equally important.

Defense No 6

Helicopters!
The last thing you want is a police chopper landing in the middle of your defensive area. This can be easily fixed by using flagpoles or any length of plastic or wood etc that will stop a chopper from landing. Makeshift Blips or unmanned air balloons, (like weather balloons) will have a similar effect, and also can be used to advertise your cause. They are also a constant reminder to your aggressor that you’re there….very annoying.
With all that stuff about, no chopper pilot is gunna risk his neck by trying to land.

Defense No 7

Pouring on the oil.

Condoms and balloons filled with vegetable oil are incredibly useful when defending. BUT they are not to be aimed at people, as that would be assault. But simply used to make the aggressors movement harder.

Defense No 8

Let there be light.

When defending, you don’t have to worry about if the aggressor can see you…..but you certainly should always be able to see them. Flood lighting and those security lights that have a motion detector are very useful just in case some sneaky little bobby decided to try attaching ropes to your barrier during the hours of darkness. They are also very handy to detect any action the aggressor make be making.

Defense No 9

Lights, Cameras, Action!

You can bet your bottom dollar that if the boys in blue are there, then the FIT teams will be there, with camera coming out of every orifice. Don’t be left out. Have video camera at hand to capture all those bits of action that might be misinterpreted later on.

There you go, just a few suggestions…..

Oh, and if using a moat, make sure you have a path across it, that can be destroyed behind you or is narrow enough to prohibit vehicles getting across. A single person width is best.

By Napalmtheelf - 28 January 2010 at 9:29pm

well this may be controversial but here goes....

Think about this laterally. You need to make the land emotionally valuable to the public so that when the airport comes a knocking it isn't just Greenpeace they're dealing with.

I would propose a massive publicity campaign and plant a tree sapling for every member of the armed forces who have died in Afghanistan.

It would be a PR disaster for the airport to try and remove !

By spiritus - 28 January 2010 at 11:53pm

I presume we've already considered having a geophysical survey done of the site?

Harmondsworth has much history behind it - who knows what is under the ground?

By Norrette - 30 January 2010 at 12:34pm

You don't know what you're doing. A third runway will mean LESS planes in the sky than the backup plan of building another airport. It's simple logistics, an airport needs so many planes to run its services, a third runway builds on economies of scale allowing the same amount of planes to service more destinations at the same time. All the airlines building a ton of new planes will also use up loads of precious metals and energy. Resources that could be spent developing more efficient planes and propulsion systems.

DO NOT block the third runway, its a much better idea than ANOTHER airport around London.

Other airports in the world have many more runways, and produce less carbon emissions than the London airports. For instance Atlanta International airport in Atlanta has 8 runways in one airport, this allows airlines to share planes from one central hub, instead of shipping out 20 to each airport to run the same number of services.

The third runway is exactly what Heathrow needs instead of another airport around London. All the infrastructure is there at Heathrow, introducing another airport would mean people have to travel to that airport, which requires roads and buildings to be built there which requires natural resources which are finite. It costs a lot less resources to build another runway, and the benefits it provides not only outweigh the costs, but also the costs and benefits of the alternatives.

By greedpeace - 29 January 2010 at 12:01am

@greedpeace, I don't follow your logic, I'm afraid. How can the same number of planes serve more destinations at the same time?

In any case, the third runway business case (such as it is) is not about making the aviation industry more efficient, but to massively increase capacity - increasing flight numbers by up to 70 per cent operating at full stretch.

And a new airport would not be a suitable alternative. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

web editor
gpuk

By jamie - 3 February 2010 at 3:13pm

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By CatherinTL34 - 5 February 2010 at 9:05pm

Perhaps I am cynical, but could the land not be used for some sort of centre to teach intellectually disabled children and/or adults things like growing vegetables, looking after nature etc? Some sort of educational facility like that would have multiple uses; it would provide some well-needed daytime social activities that are welcoming to people with an intellectual disability (so much is unwelcoming and unwilling), it would provide education in an area that is infrequently explored for this group of people, it would be socially rewarding and good for the local area... There is lots more to it but I think it could be of real use! Perhaps not just aimed at people with an intellectual disability, but also school groups and the like?

By dame_k - 7 April 2010 at 11:39pm

That's an excellent suggestion, but we're looking for something to help us remain on the land if and when construction of the third runway starts. Once the runway has been stopped completely, the land could be used for anything at all but until then we need to use it to block expansion at Heathrow.

web editor
gpuk

By jamie - 8 April 2010 at 10:12am

I think the tree sapling idea is a fantastic idea - not only would it be a PR disaster in terms of the emotional links to soldiers that have died in Afghanistan, there is a long history of controversy surrounding the tearing up of trees. Think the Newbury Bypass - the main issue was the fact that they were ripping hundred year old trees out of the soil. Granted their emotional, historical and environmental value was increased because of their age, but for some reason (and rightly so) the bulldozing and ripping down of trees has always been and will always be a particularly sore spot for the public.

dorakate

By dorakate - 22 April 2010 at 2:43pm

Hopefully it will never come to that, because there's no way a new government can continue to support the runway plans.

By deff_lepp - 26 April 2010 at 11:07pm

Hopefully it will never come to that, because there's no way a new government can continue to support the runway plans.

By deff_lepp - 27 April 2010 at 7:23pm

@spiritus - I think you have the best option here. I note the competition has closed so lets hope your suggestion of placing something so 'sensitive' upon the plot will ensure that it is never touched or 'bulldozed' by the authorities. This after all is going to help the entire 65,000 strong Community Service their needs by limiting further development of the airport itself.

By samtyler - 20 May 2010 at 4:52pm

I am afraid that I won't be able to help you and to take part in the competition, because I don't consider myself to be quite talented, creative and original.(((((((( But I would like to express my respect to you and what you do. It's very good that you want to be prepared and solve the problems in advance. I appreciate such qualities in people. I watched this http://www.videorolls.com/watch/Airplot This plan is good, because the council would have to obtain compulsory purchase orders for each plot.

By Brigitte777 - 27 May 2010 at 2:51pm

"Hopefully it will never come to that, because there's no way a new government can continue to support the runway plans." @deef_leep - i think so too.

Best Regards
Ulf

By ulf - 14 July 2010 at 6:46am

This idea is a very important nowadays. People should use alternative sources of energy.
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By Melany - 4 September 2010 at 12:36pm

I agree with you Melany. It is really important to be open in any alternatives sources.
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By Josh001 - 13 September 2010 at 10:03am

Defending Your Land When preparing to defend anything, you first have to look at what you’re defending against. In Airplot’s case, you’re looking at police officers, police vehicles, construction workers and construction vehicles like diggers etc. You might also be looking at helicopters. Defense No 1 Always take a page out of the history books when it comes to defending things. In this case, I turn to the best defensive structure every devised. THE MOAT. If a moat is deep enough, crossing it with vehicles is impossible unless you have a tank, leaving anyone trying to cross it wet, and there is nothing like wet clothes to dampen the spirit of any would be aggressor. If the moat is wide enough, bridging it is also a very difficult task. Defense No 2 What I like to call THE SOAK. This is the area directly after the moats inside edge. Here, making the area drenched with water, swampy and if viable, soaked with oil of some sort, those getting across the moat will hae ahard time moving comfortably. Defense No 3 THE BARRIER. This is any structure that separates you from the aggressor, albeit a fence or barbed wire. The barrier is best employed with building a bank, with the barrier at the top. The bank is also good because those poor slippery wet souls who have made it that far will be now heading up hill, if they can. Defense No 4 Know the ropes! When faced with a barrier of some sort, a common practice is to attach ropes to it and then have vehicles pull it down. Be ready to cut those cables or ropes. Defense No 5 Defending somewhere isn’t all about barriers and wire and muddy ground. Its also about lasting. Supplies of fresh water, food and an independent power supply are equally important. Defense No 6 Helicopters! The last thing you want is a police chopper landing in the middle of your defensive area. This can be easily fixed by using flagpoles or any length of plastic or wood etc that will stop a chopper from landing. Makeshift Blips or unmanned air balloons, (like weather balloons) will have a similar effect, and also can be used to advertise your cause. They are also a constant reminder to your aggressor that you’re there….very annoying. With all that stuff about, no chopper pilot is gunna risk his neck by trying to land. Defense No 7 Pouring on the oil. Condoms and balloons filled with vegetable oil are incredibly useful when defending. BUT they are not to be aimed at people, as that would be assault. But simply used to make the aggressors movement harder. Defense No 8 Let there be light. When defending, you don’t have to worry about if the aggressor can see you…..but you certainly should always be able to see them. Flood lighting and those security lights that have a motion detector are very useful just in case some sneaky little bobby decided to try attaching ropes to your barrier during the hours of darkness. They are also very handy to detect any action the aggressor make be making. Defense No 9 Lights, Cameras, Action! You can bet your bottom dollar that if the boys in blue are there, then the FIT teams will be there, with camera coming out of every orifice. Don’t be left out. Have video camera at hand to capture all those bits of action that might be misinterpreted later on. There you go, just a few suggestions….. Oh, and if using a moat, make sure you have a path across it, that can be destroyed behind you or is narrow enough to prohibit vehicles getting across. A single person width is best.

By Napalmtheelf - 28 January 2010 at 9:29pm

well this may be controversial but here goes.... Think about this laterally. You need to make the land emotionally valuable to the public so that when the airport comes a knocking it isn't just Greenpeace they're dealing with. I would propose a massive publicity campaign and plant a tree sapling for every member of the armed forces who have died in Afghanistan. It would be a PR disaster for the airport to try and remove !

By spiritus - 28 January 2010 at 11:53pm

I presume we've already considered having a geophysical survey done of the site? Harmondsworth has much history behind it - who knows what is under the ground?

By Norrette - 30 January 2010 at 12:34pm

You don't know what you're doing. A third runway will mean LESS planes in the sky than the backup plan of building another airport. It's simple logistics, an airport needs so many planes to run its services, a third runway builds on economies of scale allowing the same amount of planes to service more destinations at the same time. All the airlines building a ton of new planes will also use up loads of precious metals and energy. Resources that could be spent developing more efficient planes and propulsion systems. DO NOT block the third runway, its a much better idea than ANOTHER airport around London. Other airports in the world have many more runways, and produce less carbon emissions than the London airports. For instance Atlanta International airport in Atlanta has 8 runways in one airport, this allows airlines to share planes from one central hub, instead of shipping out 20 to each airport to run the same number of services. The third runway is exactly what Heathrow needs instead of another airport around London. All the infrastructure is there at Heathrow, introducing another airport would mean people have to travel to that airport, which requires roads and buildings to be built there which requires natural resources which are finite. It costs a lot less resources to build another runway, and the benefits it provides not only outweigh the costs, but also the costs and benefits of the alternatives.

By greedpeace - 29 January 2010 at 12:01am

@greedpeace, I don't follow your logic, I'm afraid. How can the same number of planes serve more destinations at the same time? In any case, the third runway business case (such as it is) is not about making the aviation industry more efficient, but to massively increase capacity - increasing flight numbers by up to 70 per cent operating at full stretch. And a new airport would not be a suitable alternative. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. web editor gpuk

By jamie - 3 February 2010 at 3:13pm

Perhaps I am cynical, but could the land not be used for some sort of centre to teach intellectually disabled children and/or adults things like growing vegetables, looking after nature etc? Some sort of educational facility like that would have multiple uses; it would provide some well-needed daytime social activities that are welcoming to people with an intellectual disability (so much is unwelcoming and unwilling), it would provide education in an area that is infrequently explored for this group of people, it would be socially rewarding and good for the local area... There is lots more to it but I think it could be of real use! Perhaps not just aimed at people with an intellectual disability, but also school groups and the like?

By dame_k - 7 April 2010 at 11:39pm

That's an excellent suggestion, but we're looking for something to help us remain on the land if and when construction of the third runway starts. Once the runway has been stopped completely, the land could be used for anything at all but until then we need to use it to block expansion at Heathrow. web editor gpuk

By jamie - 8 April 2010 at 10:12am

I think the tree sapling idea is a fantastic idea - not only would it be a PR disaster in terms of the emotional links to soldiers that have died in Afghanistan, there is a long history of controversy surrounding the tearing up of trees. Think the Newbury Bypass - the main issue was the fact that they were ripping hundred year old trees out of the soil. Granted their emotional, historical and environmental value was increased because of their age, but for some reason (and rightly so) the bulldozing and ripping down of trees has always been and will always be a particularly sore spot for the public. dorakate

By dorakate - 22 April 2010 at 2:43pm

Hopefully it will never come to that, because there's no way a new government can continue to support the runway plans.

By deff_lepp - 26 April 2010 at 11:07pm

Hopefully it will never come to that, because there's no way a new government can continue to support the runway plans.

By deff_lepp - 27 April 2010 at 7:23pm

@spiritus - I think you have the best option here. I note the competition has closed so lets hope your suggestion of placing something so 'sensitive' upon the plot will ensure that it is never touched or 'bulldozed' by the authorities. This after all is going to help the entire 65,000 strong Community Service their needs by limiting further development of the airport itself.

By samtyler - 20 May 2010 at 4:52pm

I am afraid that I won't be able to help you and to take part in the competition, because I don't consider myself to be quite talented, creative and original.(((((((( But I would like to express my respect to you and what you do. It's very good that you want to be prepared and solve the problems in advance. I appreciate such qualities in people. I watched this http://www.videorolls.com/watch/Airplot This plan is good, because the council would have to obtain compulsory purchase orders for each plot.

By Brigitte777 - 27 May 2010 at 2:51pm

"Hopefully it will never come to that, because there's no way a new government can continue to support the runway plans." @deef_leep - i think so too. Best Regards Ulf

By ulf - 14 July 2010 at 6:46am

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