Update on airport decision

09 March 2010

THE final decision on whether to allow Bristol International Airport (BIA) to expand was not reached at a major meeting- despite North Somerset councillors approving the plans.

Before the debate at Weston Town Hall got underway councillor Nan Kirsen decided at the south area committee that she would call-in the application to North Somerset Council's planning and regulatory (P and R) committee, of which she is chairman.

It was widely expected that the committee would make the decision on behalf of the unitary authority at the March 3 meeting.

The plans, which will see the terminal double in size and 10 million passengers pass through the terminal by 2020, will now be decided at a P and R committee meeting on April 28, unless a special meeting is set up earlier.

The three-hour debate saw 15 speakers, six against the expansion and nine for.

Six councillors, including chairman Tim Marter and executive members Tony Lake and Elfan Ap Rees voted in favour of the expansion.

Backwell and Barrow Gurney Councillor Tom Collinson, who is not on the committee but chose to speak, aired his concerns on the green belt and access.

Speaking after the meeting he said: "I am perfectly happy that the decision for it to go to a higher committee.

"10 million passengers a year is a huge number for us to consider and I think it would have been unfair for the south area committee to decide on this."

Three voted against the expansion, including Congresbury Councillor Tom Leimdorfer and Wrington representative Deborah Yamanaka.

After the meeting campaigners from Stop Bristol Airport Expansion (SBAE) and BIA's chief executive Robert Sinclair said they were pleased with the district councillors' decision.

Chair of the Parish Councils Airport Association and SBAE member, Hilary Burn, said: "There are still major issues to be resolved such as a lack of coherent council policy guidance.

"We are also particularly concerned that certain district councillors appear to be more interested in gaining funds than properly weighing up the impacts of the airport's expansion.

"Councillors should be focusing on the impacts and not on any financial incentives from the airport."

Mr Sinclair said the decision was a step in the right direction and he is confident that the P & R committee will take into account all recommendations.

After the P and R meeting the decision will be referred to the Secretary of State due to the scale of the development in green belt land.