Airport expansion plans given the go ahead

LDRS

After 19 hours of deliberations plans to expand the runway at Southampton Airport have been given the green light.

Twenty-two councillors voted in favour of the proposals to expand the runway by 164m.

Thirteen councillors voted against the plans and one abstained.

It comes as all councillors at Eastleigh Borough Council spent 19 hours debating the proposals and listening to both sides of the argument.

Over the past two days hundreds of people watched the online debate over the plans that have literally divided public opinion.

On the one hand, campaigners and some residents called for the plans to be refused on the grounds of climate change, noise and pollution.

On the other hand, residents and the local business community asked for the plans to be approved saying the move would boost the local economy and create new jobs.

Several residents and councillors raised concerns over the impact the runway extension would have on noise and climate change.

It comes as it was previously revealed that the number of people affected by noise would go from 11,450 in 2020 to 46,050 in 2033, if the expansion went ahead.

But officers said the mitigation measures proposed – including insulation and a cap on vehicles to restrict passengers to 3m per annum – would result in a “moderate adverse impact”.

In the 19-hour long debate councillors were also told that the expansion would create more than 1,000 jobs, boost the local economy and result in a £15m investment.

More than 200 people had registered to speak at the meeting and made their point perfectly clear.

Tonight several councillors acknowledged they were faced with a difficult decision.

Cllr Margaret Atkinson, leader of the Conservative Group, said: “The decision the council takes on this application is probably the most important it ever takes as it will shape the future of the borough and of its residents for generations to come.”

Cllr Wayne Irish added: “This has been probably the most difficult planning application for me in all my 39 years as a councillor on this council.”

A number of councillors said they couldn’t support the plans and raised concerns over the impact of the runway expansion on climate change and noise.

Cllr Louise Parker-Jones said: “I am not reassured there are the right mitigation processes in place. I really fear for Eastleigh, I really fear why this has been pushed through so so quickly. There is no planet B.”

Cllr Tina Campbell added: “We are in a climate emergency. We can support people get another job. There isn’t another planet. We have to prioritise climate emergency.”

Southampton Airport bosses said they would have to face difficult decisions if the plans were going to be rejected.

Operations Director, Steve Szalay, said:

“This is the news we have been hoping for and working so hard to achieve. By listening to the overwhelming public and business support, as well as the planning officer’s recommendation to approve, the councillors have safeguarded the future of the airport. The decision also ensures we are well placed to provide employment and support the region as we seek to recover post pandemic.

“We are excited about our future. This positive decision allows us to further develop our plans, play a full part in the Solent Freeport and deliver on our commitments set out within the planning application, which will further enrich our neighbouring communities.

“Thank you to everyone who has engaged with the consultations and shared their thoughts and opinions. We listened and reflected your feedback within our plans. You have helped shape the future of Southampton Airport.

“We appreciate that some of our neighbours have concerns regarding noise and the environment. Please be assured that we want to work with residents to mitigate these issues going forwards.”

During the debate councillors were also told that the airport is a lifeline for residents in the Channel Islands.

Talking at the end of the debate, Cllr Keith House, leader of Eastleigh Borough Council, asked councillors to approve the proposals.

It was just over 2.15am of April 10 when 22 councillors voted in favour of the plans, 13 against and one abstained.

Campaigner Lyn Brayshaw said, "I am seriously concerned about the damage aircraft noise will cause to children's education. The runway extension could also make life unbearable for the 46,000 residents affected by the noise from planes that are considerably larger and noisier than the ones that normally use the airport. This is an unacceptable price to pay for a development designed to bring increased profits to its operators and whose economic benefits to the area have been greatly exaggerated.”

"This is a bleak day for local people and everyone who cares about our environment, but it is just a set back in the transition to a sustainable future. We thank those councillors who gave proper weight to noise, pollution and the climate emergency."