Bristol Airport expansion plans face stiff opposition

Bristol Airport has this week put in a planning application for a larger terminal. Picture: Bristol Airport Bristol Airport

Bristol Airport’s expansion plans have received more than 1,800 objections – but also some support in recent days.

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Bristol Airport has submitted plans to accomodate 12 million passengers per year Bristol Airport has submitted plans to accomodate 12 million passengers per year

Outline proposals submitted to North Somerset Council will see the airport expand its facilities to accommodate 12 million passengers a year by the mid-2020s.

Comments by villagers, parish councils, and environmentalist groups, opposing the plans, include concerns about increased noise and pollution from additional flights, and additional strain on rural roads and villages.

Yatton Parish Council said the airport should not expand until improvements were made to the M5 at Junction 20 or 21 to avoid additional traffic on A38 and A370.

A spokesman for the council said: “Bristol Airport is becoming one of the largest regional airports but is notable for its lack of adequate direct links to any major motorway or rail link by comparison to other regional airports.”

Cleve Parish Council said noise was a ‘growing problem in the village’ and that ‘no respite’ had been offered by the airport.

The council also stated that the airport were ‘aware of passengers parking their cars in Cleeve and catching the bus to the airport rather than parking at the airport’ and called for them to reduce the cost of parking and build more multi-storey car parks to ensure there is adequate provisions for 10 million passengers before growth to 12 million starts.

A spokesman said:“ So far there has been no additional multi-storey car park or public transport hub built as promised under growth to 10 million passengers per annum.”

However, Backwell Parish Council has said it would support the proposals ‘in principle’ stating: “As one of the biggest employers in the area, we hope Bristol Airport’s expansion will support further local employment opportunities for the residents of Backwell.

“Employment opportunities could be helped by an additional bus service to the airport from Backwell at the A370, as proposed.”

The parish council did however say that the airport ‘needs to consider the direct impact’ the plans will have on the quality of life of Downside residents, especially those living next to the terminal.