PROTESTS have sprung up in affected areas surrounding Heathrow and outside the Houses of Parliament following the announcement of the airport's third runway plans today.

The most high profile ‘protest’ has been the resignation of Conservative MP Zac Goldsmith, but environmentalists and residents are voicing their concerns.

Campaigners have gathered in the village of Harmondsworth - set to be demolished if the expansion plans go ahead – and Parliament Square as MPs debate Theresa May’s decision.

Plane Stupid, the anti-expansion group behind the protests in Westminster, began campaigning before this morning’s announcement and released a video response to Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling’s statement.

“Building new runways – anywhere – is absolutely irresponsible,” a spokesperson said.

“We can do something about climate change or we can build a runway – we can’t do both.

“If the Government thinks it can get away with riding roughshod over local residents, climate science and its own commitments then it has another think coming.

“We’re here today to show that people are angry about this and we will fight this decision. We will make this runway undeliverable.”

This sentiment was shared in the Hillingdon suburb of Harmondsworth.

The village, just a stone’s throw away from Heathrow airport, is set to be demolished to make space for the new runway and residents have congregated to give their views.

Cries of “No ifs, not buts, no more runways” and “Theresa May, what would your father say?” were heard outside the Five Bells pub – a makeshift headquarters for residents’ protests.

And with so many obstacles on the path to expansion, both groups are vowing not to go quietly.