Bristol Airport £150m expansion gets green light

Monday, 20th September 2010

Plans for the £150 million expansion of Bristol Airport are set to go ahead, after the government decided not to interfere in the planning process. North Somerset Council had approved the scheme, contingent on a set of 70 conditions, at its meeting back in May but Eric Pickles, the Communities Secretary, still had the authority to veto the development because some of the site is located on green-belt property.

However, it has been announced that Mr Pickle is not going to exercise his right to call for a public inquiry into the expansion plans before issuing a final, binding decision on the matter. Campaigners had urged a public inquiry that would have given an independent inspector the opportunity to inspect the plans and receive submissions from both supporters and opponents of the expansion.

The expansion is set to include more aircraft stands, extensions to the existing terminal and expanded vehicle parking. Work on the expansion could start next year. News of the approval left supporters jubilant. The airport’s chief executive was delighted with result of many years’ work. North Somerset Councillor and council deputy leader Elfan Ap Rees, executive member for strategic planning, was very happy to see the planning pass its final obstacle. Opponents of the plan, however, vowed to continue the battle and hope to make a further legal challenge to the latest decision.

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