Bristol airport £150m expansion plans given the go-ahead
BRISTOL Airport's £150 million expansion plans have been given the green light after the Government opted not to intervene in the planning process.
Although North Somerset Council approved the expansion scheme, subject to 70 conditions, at a meeting in May Communities Secretary Eric Pickles had the right to a final say on the development, as some of the site is in green belt land.
But it was announced yesterday that Mr Pickles would not exercise his option to call a public inquiry into the plans before making a final, binding decision himself.
Campaigners had called for a public inquiry where an independent inspector would have
been able to examine the plans and take evidence from supporters and opponents.
The expansion will include additional aircraft stands, extensions to the terminal and improved car parking.
Building work could begin next year.
Airport chief executive Robert Sinclair said: "This is great news for our passengers, airlines, business partners and staff. It is a major step in the right direction and we are delighted to have reached this balanced outcome after five years' work."
North Somerset Council deputy leader and executive member for strategic planning, Councillor Elfan Ap Rees, said: "We are delighted that the proposed expansion of Bristol Airport has got over the final hurdle as far as planning is concerned.
"The application underwent a vigorous examination and all parties, whether pro or anti, had the chance to put forward their case."
John Savage, of business group GWE Business West, said he viewed the decision as "a triumph for common sense".
He said: "Business West is delighted and we are looking forward to reaping the benefit of it.
"We cannot be a vibrant European city without having a first-class airport."
But opponents have not given-up hope of making a legal challenge to the decision.
In July they launched a fighting fund to raise money to support the legal challenge, which would claim there is no current Government policy to support the decision to grant planning permission.
Hilary Burn, of the Stop Bristol Airport Expansion campaign, said: "We will be looking very closely at the paperwork and seeking professional advice to see if any avenues to challenge this remain open.
"If the expansion goes ahead it will be bad for the region's economy and increase the tourism deficit."
But Mr Sinclair insists the airport is on the right side of the economic argument.
He said: "Approval of these proposals recognises the airport's vital contribution to regional prosperity, while also ensuring that environmental considerations are addressed.
"The plans provide a blueprint for the long-term development of Bristol Airport, and will allow us to provide more services from Bristol, which will reduce car journeys to other airports, and also grow inbound tourism to the South West."
Mr Ap Rees agreed, saying: "We look forward to an expanded airport contributing to the continued economic vibrancy of North Somerset, making it an even more attractive location for firms to set up or re-locate their businesses as well as increasing the numbers of visitors and tourists to the area."
The airport must now agree a legal deal with the council to finalise its financial commitment to funding infrastructure improvements such as new roads.
North Somerset independent councillor for Backwell, Tom Collinson, who objected to the airport expansion on the grounds of the pressures on the roads around the area, said: "I am disappointed if there is to be no highway improvement to the highway access to the airport.
"There has not been enough consideration taken of the vast increase of traffic consequent upon the sheer of this expansion."
9 Comments
by Not stuck in traffic, A38
Sunday, September 19 2010, 4:52PM
“Foregive me if i'm wrong, but I thought planning permission was tied to having the South Bristol Ring Road completed first, and that the airport had to contribute to the cost. I agree about traffic on the A38 being little impacted by the airport, and can see why the bus driver supports the expansion as with almost 200 Airport Flyers every day, most are running near to empty.”
by Rob, Bristol
Sunday, September 19 2010, 12:52AM
“Speaking as a bus driver that goes up and down the a38 about 8 times a day, i think i am more than qualified to say when the traffic occurs.
As already stated, it is mainly during the morning and evening rush hours as people drive to and from the villages connecting with the a38.
I for one am glad the airport has been given the go-ahead, Bristol has needed it for ages.”
by Tamsin, Bristol
Saturday, September 18 2010, 8:18PM
“I think it is fair to say there is no congestion from the airport.
CDR needs to check his facts...”
by Giovanni Tamerelli, The Wood
Saturday, September 18 2010, 6:33PM
“Ha Ha Hahahaha Ha Ha!
HA!”
by CDR, Ratrun
Saturday, September 18 2010, 1:07PM
“I'm still waiting for all the wonderful prosperity that the airport has promised me ever since they started expanding in the 90's. All the people who sing its praises in columns like this are usually passengers who dont live near the airport and therefore dont have to suffer from the congestion. With first-hand experience of twenty years in one rat-run village, I can categorically say that not all the traffic is generated by work-commuters. James, Wurzel Country's smart-nosed statement that local roads will gain more traffic as a result is one typically given by one who does not have to live with it; comfortably tucked away in the high-priced backwater of Wrington vale.
I take one crumb of comfort; within the next two years, people like James and many millions of others will be so broke that they will be unable to afford basic living needs, let alone flying off on jets. The country is slipping rapidly into total bankruptcy; the airport can expand, but it wont have any passengers.”
by Anon, Posted from my iPhone
Saturday, September 18 2010, 12:20PM
“@BS30 Red
Pure class!
The Hedgehog, Horfield”
by James, Wurzel Country.
Saturday, September 18 2010, 11:17AM
“On balance I am sure the right decision has been taken - of course, it's still open to objectors to seek a judicial review of the minister's decision.
In the past ten years Bristol Airport has increased its annual passenger throughput from 2 million to 6 million - it has also weathered the recession better than almost all other UK airports.
Bristol is now the UK's ninth busiest airport and England's third busiest provincial airport, after Manchester and Birmingham.
This year Bristol is one of a handful of airports to see passenger growth but it has done so on the back of fewer flights which shows that a combination of larger aircraft and higher load factors can increase passenger numbers without necessarily having more aircraft flying overhead.
If anyone doubts it the figures are publicly available at the Civil Aviation Authority and provide incontrovertible evidence.
There are already overcrowding issues at certain times of the day in the terminal (it was designed - even with the permitted extension of the terminal to the east of a few years ago - for between 3 and 4 million passengers per year), so an expanded terminal is required now, not that I expect it to be completed for at least two or three years. The other expansion will no doubt be introduced as the airport passenger numbers grow.
I'm aware that there will be some additional traffic on local roads but anyone who lives in the area and is honest with themselves will concede that the A38 is at its busiest at commuter time with workers driving between their home villages and Bristol - nothing to do with the airport whatever.
I've lived or been around the Wrington Vale for over sixty years so am well aware of the way it has developed in that time.
I will say that my only connection with the airport is as a passenger. I have never worked in the aviation or travel industry, neither have any close relatives so I am impartial in that respect.”
by Mark, Bristol
Saturday, September 18 2010, 10:06AM
“Thank goodness for that. Now all we need is the commercial acumen to realise that Bristol needs people like Mr Steve Lansdowne to inject his wealth into commercial projects in the city as these attract new businesses into the city for the benefit of all our citizens”
by Anon, Posted from my iPhone
Saturday, September 18 2010, 9:06AM
“Perhaps the objectors to this plan should have started walking their dogs on the runway. The airport could then have been designated as a "town green". That would have scuppered the expansion. BS30 red.”