Author: eob

If you’d like to read the lastest BAAN newsletter which gives an update on the latest information on Bristol Airport’s planning application for 15mppa and their attempted land-grab of Felton Common then please follow this link

https://mailchi.mp/27bb61520c1f/whats_happening_now

Local residents gathered at Chew Valley School on Tuesday 9th June to hear about the pros and cons of Bristol Airport ‘s proposed expansion that , if agreed, will allow up to 15 million passengers per year to pass through the airport – an increase of almost 50% from the current number of 10.8mppa(million passengers per annum).

BAAN and SFC talked about various aspects of Bristol Airport’s proposed expansion to 15mppa – the economic and job promises from the airport. the impossibility of adding millions more car journeys to the existing roads, the wide range of wildlife on Felton Common and the damage expansion will have on our climate.

Many many questions were asked and only a few could be answered on the evening, so here are the rest of them…

Please note that we have answered the questions to the best of our ability but cannot guarantee that all our answers are 100% factually correct.

Question	Answered by	Answer
Is the airport meeting its legal duties regarding he consultation process?	Steve	As far as I am aware they are. The council (who have the responsibility for this) have given longer than the minimum period and will be very wary of breaching the rules in view of the High Court challenge last time.
As a 100% foreign owned airport where will all the profits be going? I don’t think it is to the local economy but to share holders abroad	Mary	Yes the airport owners have in the past taken large dividends to give to shareholders – in 2024 the then Canadian owners took dividends of ~£50million pounds from the profits. Given their past record with £billions of profit extraction from Thames Water, it’s safe to assume that Macquarie as new owners will be even more focussed on profit and giving money to foreign shareholders.
How will you fund protest	Steve	BAAN and Save Felton Common have a crowdfunder on Legal Justice platform to gather funds for legal and expert advice. Details are at https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/bristol-airport-expansion-and-land-grab/ Please donate if you can and circulate to your networks.
What hope is there when North Somerset Council are hopeless, on everything?	Steve	The planning officers and councillors are hard working and trying to address with the resources they have and the legal frameworks available to them. Their attention to detail shouldn’t be underestimated, particularly as politically the Council is a different set-up from the last expansion application in 2019/2020. There are further legal routes available as well. The Common compulsory purchase order / deregistration could also have a public enquiry , meaning North Somerset will be one of many actors in this process, with additional scope for other groups to be involved.
If this goes to appeal how will we nationalise the campaign	Steve	We are helping to co-ordinate a national campaign at www.noairportexpansion.org This is a grouping of local campaign group who have come together to increase our voice and support each other. Many of the same problems we are having in Bristol are also happening elswhere in the country.
Is there a precedent on airports and common land acquisition?	Debbie/ Steve	Yes – Blackbushe Airport in Hampshire was originally allowed to take 115 acres of common land (it is a wartime airport sited on common land), But an appeal reversed the decision so Blackbushe offered replacement land which was accepted. The ecological value of the land was very different to thet of Felton Common.
We lost last time, what legal case do we have now and do we honestly believe the law and this government will allow us to win? If not is it time for pitch forks?	Steve	We are just at the beginning of this legal process and because of the extra protection given to the common (because it is a registered common and a nature reserve), there would likely have to be a public inquiry before the airport could compulsorily purchase the common and apply to have it deregistered. However, we take your point about pitchforks. We are committed to protesting while keeping within the law.
Why can’t they build westwards?	Martin	The current option to expand on Felton Common was the preferred option (1C) of the 5 considered. The planning application states: Option 1C was taken forward as the preferred option for the runway extension. It is the only option which can be delivered to meet the appropriate safety standards and without: significant earthworks; a need to close Bristol Airport for a significant period of time; and a need to acquire additional land (beyond that associated with runway approach lighting). This option was also assessed as having limited landscape and visual impacts compared to Options 1Bi, 1Bii, 1D and 1E. Expansion can be done at the west end of the runway but comes down to cost as it involves a lot of land fill or a pillared runway.
Does the net zero target at the airport include flights?	Mary	No. Bristol Airport net zero is about ground operations at the airport (scope 1 & 2) only so doesn’t include flights (Scope 3). (The ground operations produce 0.5% of emissions – the other 99.5% is from the planes.)
When they talk about local employment does that include Felton, Winford, Chew Magna? Don’t think so	Mary	In their Skills and Employment Plan, Bristol Airport divide the region into three areas -1. North Somerset, 2. West of England and Somerset and 3. South West and South Wales. So local employment usually means North Somerset. They have said there will be about 150 jobs in Weston and 100 in South Bristol but their figures have been criticised as being ‘grossly exaggerated’ by New Economics Foundation (a respected economics think-thank)
Why can’t Exeter & Cardiff provide/meet this extra demand that they say there is rather than extra flights and Bristol having to increase its capacity?	Mary	Bristol Airport wants to increase its capacity so that it can increase revenue and profits (particularly from parking). There’s no profit in letting Exeter or Cardiff take potential passengers so they see Exeter and Cardiff as direct competitors. There is enough spare capacity in UK airports to facilitate the growth predicted by CCC so Government could certainly legislate for using existing airport capacity before more expansion was allowed.
Is it true that both Exeter and Cardiff airport runways are of sufficient length?	Mary	Bristol is 2,011m long, Exeter is 2,076m long and Cardiff is 2,354m long. They are all long enough for international flights but Cardiff is the only one equipped to handle the biggest aircraft in commercial use (with the exception of the A38).
Has there been an air pollution check on the stop-start traffic on Potters Hill- which is practically 24/7?	Martin	There are air receptors located around the airport. I will check regarding Potters Hill but I cannot recall one being in this location. Its a good point and worth checking out
What monitoring of C02/NOx,PM2.5, UFPs has BAL done?	Mary	They don’t monitor UFPs. The 2024 Annual Monitoring Report confirms the current programme. https://www.bristolairport.co.uk/media/as2j1amw/brs-annual-monitoring-report-2024v2-web-version.pdf The 12mppa S106 agreement requires an air quality monitoring programme consisting of continuous monitoring of NO2 and PM (PM10 and PM2.5) at two locations, and NO2 monitoring using diffusion tubes at not less than 16 locations.
Is there any scientific monitoring being carried out to measure air pollution levels in areas close to the airport?	Mary	Every air quality monitoring station owned by BAL is on airport property. NSC undertook monitoring of NO2 at 24 locations throughout the district during 2024. The maximum concentration recorded during 2024 was 19.5 μg/m³ at A370 Lulsgate Bottom — the road serving the airport — which is considerably below the annual mean Air Quality Strategy Objective of 40 μg/m³.
Is it right that BAL don’t monitor ultra fine particles which cause cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, reducing lung function, exacerbation of asthma, premature mortality. Other airports do monitor this	Mary	Yes that is right. BAL don’t monitor UFPs as there is currently no legal obligation to do so.
If BA fail to get the go ahead for lights on Felton Common would the whole planning app fail or could BAL tweak the application and resubmit?	Steve	They could resubmit the application without the landing lights on the common, but this would mean that they could not use the larger planes or go to the destinations in America and the Middle East that they plan. It is not known what impact this would have on the wider business plan and therefore what impact it would have on any other expansion plans
Could BA still expand from 12-15 mppa if they used just existing short haul routes (i.e no runway extension)?	Mary	Yes. Some of the international routes they plan have previously been run from the existing runway (New York, Caribbean, Egypt etc) – they just won’t be able to use the larger planes that might make the flights more profitable without a longer runway.
Why is there no one under 40 years old here?	Jackie	It is hard to reach young people via social media and parish councils, we would welcome suggestions for how to bring them in. We did let the Chew Valley School climate action group know about the evening.
Why is there no local press coverage of this meeting?	Ben	The Chew Valley Gazette had included information on it in an article, and we will see if we can get a write-up of it in the next issue. Press releases to local press requires time which our small team struggles with. We’d love any help on publicity if you’d like to volunteer with us!
There are 150 people in the room. How many of them have family or friends employed by BAL?	Jackie	We can’t know the answer to this. We intentionally reached out to people who might have a range of views about and experiences of the airport.
Has the additional cost of physical and mental health services been considered if expansion impacts these areas	Mary	No. No costs like this are considered in the Public Health Impacts assessment.
If safety is important has the safety in terms of mental and physical health been considered?	Mary	Not by BAL. Their Health Impact Report doesn’t consider mental health
Are planes for long haul flights different to the ones using the airport now?	Mary	Lon haul planes like the Beoing 787 can operate from Bristol but only with payload restrictions: reduced fuel load (limiting range), fewer passengers, or less cargo. TUI operated the Boeing 787 Dreamliner on seasonal routes from Bristol Airport to Cancun and Orlando during Summer 2023. but subsequently stopped. Long-haul planes will require significant payload restrictions even on an extended runway.
What does our local MP feel about expansion?	Mary	Sadik AL-Hussan MP appears to be fully supportive of the airport expansion – believing Bristol Airport’s lies about economy & jobs. The only chink is that he has told us in person that Mass Transit Systems need to be in place BEFORE expansion is allowed .
Are there any local MPS representing support or objection to the planning application	Mary	As far as we’re aware none have submitted comments. Please write to your MP and ask them to oppose the application.
Will WECA have the final say?	Jackie	This is a possibility as North Somerset is in the process of joining WECA and under the new powers being given to Mayor Godwin she will have the option of calling the application in for consideration and then having the final say. However the first step is for the NS Planning Committee to vote and then the North Somerset Council.
What is the WECA mayor’s position on the expansion?	Jackie	Before she was Mayor and when standing for election she said she was personally against expansion but more recently she has said she wishes to remain neutral and look at the evidence, in case she is the one with the power to call it in.
Who or which planning authority/government department has the final say in the planning application?	Jackie	The first decision sits with North Somerset Planning committee https://n-somerset.moderngov.co.uk/mgCommitteeDetails.aspx?ID=149 they then take their decision to North Somerset Council for approval and a decision is made. It is possible for that decision to be appealed which could lead to a public inquiry but the decision can also be ‘called in’ before that, in theory by the WECA mayor if North Somerset is part of WECA (they plan to be very soon) or my the government minister responsible.
Its not just the A38 traffic we should be concerned about. Traffic from the A37 along the B3130 to reach the airport has increased significantly in recent years. Has this been factored in to the figures included in the airport’s application?	Martin	In the transport assessment it doesn’t appear to take journeys from Bath on the B3130 into consideration. There is no data of vehicle usage or any mitigation regarding this route
Does extra carbon include the extra road traffic created by this expansion?	Steve/ Martin	There is data within the application stating road usage by vehicles. However, the baseline is 12mppa and not the current 10.7mppa so figures could be wildly out
More traffic = more queues= even more pollution. What if the M5 is blocked?	Martin	We have seen in recent months the situation when there is an accident on the M5 and the chaos with surrounding roads where everyone is taking single track roads. The local infrastructure is not built for these situations and the planning has no answer or mitigation in these instances
Who in the Chew Valley benefits from airport expansion?	Ben	Parking operators (many unauthorised). Airbnb’s, b&b’s, pubs with rooms. Potentially for people staying the night before flying, but as discussed the majority of travel is outbound tourism. This is obviously short-term benefit for the few whilst the majority suffer.
Is it right that 25% of carparking for the airport is off site?	Mary	All official airport car parking is onsite but rogue parking off-site probably does account for 20-30% of parking at peak times
Is it true that airport flight operations break even and their profit comes from their parking revenue?	Mary	You can see BAL accounts at companies house https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/02078692/filing-history. For 2024 car park revenue=£75.6million, aeronautical revenue=£69.3million, concession revenue=£52milliom
How does BA justify its parking charges being the highest of regional airports when this encourages unauthorised parking in the area?	Mary	They don’t justify it – they’re just greedy. Recent hikes were said to be because of business rate increases.
What was the stat about night flights and Heathrow?	Mary	Heathrow had 84 million passengers in 2025 (almost 8x Bristol) yet are allowed only max 5,800 night flights. Dispensations of London airports are much more strictly controlled by government. Heathrow had 29 dispensations for the winter period & 228 in summer.
If not now at 12million passengers when will they get to 15 million? and why the target of 15 million?	Mary	Currently there are around 10.8mppa (million passengers per annum). In their Master Plan BAL forecast 12mppa by 2028 and 15mppa by 2036.
Has BA dropped its aim to increase to 20 mppa? It appeared in earlier masterplans and consultation docs but not in its recent application	Ben	20 mppa is the objective for 2050. The airport are assuming this will be the planning application after this one!
Is sustainable aviation fuel a food crop/land that could be used for food generation?	Mary	A lot of the land used for bio-fuels like SAF could be used to grow food instead.
Why does Bristol Airport have so many flight dispensations? Are they given automatically? Are they open to public scrutiny?	Mary	See the figures on our website https://eyesonbristolairport.org/ and the Bristol Airport facts and figures page for each quarter https://www.bristolairport.co.uk/corporate/about-us/facts-and-figures/. Dispensations are an easy way to increase the limit of 4,000 night flights allowed by 12mppa permission. Around 70% of the dispensations requested by airlines are allowed by Bristol Airport. NSC currently aren’t checking or monitoring them. BAAN intend to make an official complaint. The dispensation logs can be requested by asking an FOI of North Somerset Council and will show the reasons for the dispensation.
Has there been a bat survey?: Disruption of flight and feeding patterns due to light pollution	Debbie	Yes, it appears the North Somerset have been undertaking bat surveys and we are trying to track down the data. Bat surveying will also form part of the monitoring for the WECA Wildlife Index
What does the local dark sky policy say?	Mary	There is no dedicated dark skies designation or formal International Dark Sky Place status covering Felton Common itself. But North Somerset Council’s adopted Sites and Policies Plan explicitly includes an objective to “protect dark skies from light pollution and areas of greatest tranquillity from development,” so that may be applicable.
What protection is proposed for wildlife? There are many endangered species	Debbie	Assessment of wildlife & ecology on the common have been poorly covered by BAL in the planning application. (see below)
How will the lights effect wildlife on Felton Common?	Debbie	The effects of the lights when on is a difficult one to fully predict, and I am not an expert! However light disruption to bats I think, is well documented and probably goes for other nocturnal species too. It is really difficult to build or put anything onto common land (even perimeter fencing!) as decision has to be made at Secretary of State level. Felton Common’s habitat is especially important, as recognised by Natural England, and represents increasingly rare ecology in the UK. The habitat supports the wildlife so any disturbance to the ground / building & digging is bound to have a deleterious effect as well. The area where the lights are proposed contains species that are on the red list as rare in the UK.
What can be done to reduce the speed limit on local roads (what is the process of reducing the speed limit down Downside road?	Jackie	Speed limits on roads is a matter for the local parish council and North Somerset Council. We suggest you raise this with your local parish council in the area of Downside road.
Extra jobs: Have you factored in construction jobs created by the construction work?	Mary	From the figures it’s hard to tell if construction jobs are extra to the numbers or included. BAL say there will be an average of ”283 job years of employment per annum’ for the 10 years of the construction project.
Are you using old planes to arrive at the calculation of 1,000,000 tons of carbon?	Steve	The calculation of a million tonnes of carbon emissions was carried out by an expert as part of the preparation for the last inquiry. It is a complex calculation, and it is fair to say that the numbers produced are quite different from those that the airport themselves claim. Our calculation includes the warming impact of non-CO2 gases such as contrails, which have a multiplier of two or three times over just the carbon and the carbon emissions of oil well to plane, in other words, those associated with refining of the oil into aviation fuel.
Can the planning committee care about ‘ultra frequent flyers?’ 3% vs people impacted	Mary	Sadly, the planners won’t consider who uses the flights as it isn’t relevant in planning terms.
When we are living in a Climate emergency can any expansion be justified?	Ben	No. Not until all promises of net zero are met – and we are failing on most fronts. Watch the National Emergency briefings which are being shown nearby (e.g. Chew Magna Wednesday 15th July).
Can you explain why fares don’t reflect the actual cost?	Steve	The aviation industry enjoys massive tax breaks compared to other modes of transport, such as government investment in ’emerging sustainability markets’ (e.g. hydrogen , batteries etc), untaxed jet fuel and no VAT on international flight tickets. There is also no regulated ‘offsetting’ market so additionally costs (voluntary or involuntary) do not reflect the actual costs of CO2 and non-CO2 emissions. The basic problem is that the “externalities” are not included; in other words, the real cost to the environment of the carbon emitted, the cost to the health service of the health impacts of noise and pollution, and other such un-costed issues.
What about BNG (Biodiversity Net Gain) Do they have to comply?	Debbie	I think they do, but under current regulations the offset does not have to be anywhere close to the development and may not even have to be in the UK, I do not know whether the Planning Officers can stipulate this. They also have to offer replacement land for any taken from Felton Common but as I understand it this should be ‘like for like’ and there is no land of similar ecological value neighbouring the common that we know of.
Why are flights going to be lower?	Martin	Larger aircraft need a longer runway to land as the current runway is too short. If the runway is extended on Felton Common flights will approach 12.5mters lower to land. Essentially landing closer to the A38
Aircraft currently pass over at 15-25 metres. If planes are going to be 12.5 metres lower what is going to happen? High vans? Double decker bus?	Martin	No data is presented regarding the impact of lower flights. In fact the application doesn’t mention flights approaching lower. However, there is data to suggest lower approaching flights will have an impact with buildings and high sided vehicles due the strong vortex produced. This will be significantly higher with larger wide bodied aircraft.
Does the airport pay business rates?	Mary	Yes. BAL said the recent rises in parking charges were to cover a rise in business rates.
Can BIA move landing lights back?	Mary	The CAA defines the minimum length of approach runway lights from the end of the runway so if the runway is extended the approach lights have to move.
Can clever technology allow lights to be closer spaced?	Mary	Not that I’m aware of – the CAA sets the distance of a minimum length of approach lights and a set distance between the lights.
What about runway deicing chemicals and rubber brake dust?	Martin	Yes, this could have a large impact with pollutants feeding into the local water system (Chew River, Chew Valley) affecting water quality and fish etc
Is there any plan to provide affordable transport into Bristol for locals?	Martin	This exists currently with the A1 bus if you have an Airport Community Card; However fares vary depending upon where you get on & off / with a bus pass it should be free from the Airport Tavern but can be dependent upon drivers.
When does the consultation end? When do we need to comment by?	Jackie	Sunday 28th June
Where do we go to make a comment?	Jackie	https://n-somerset.gov.uk/my-services/planning-building-control/planning-applications/bristol-airport-proposals You can get help here: https://eyesonbristolairport.org/how-to-object-to-bristol-airports-new-15mppa-planning-application/
There is so much information here is there a summary I can go away and read?	Mary	Some of the info is summarised in our Alternative Master Planw which you can see here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZPS-B2TL9z4_fCyMrmEZgv7cVQr4Hmue/view?usp=sharing
How can I get help with commenting on the application?	Mary	Go to our website news page link https://eyesonbristolairport.org/how-to-object-to-bristol-airports-new-15mppa-planning-application/
What is your group planning to do going forwards?	Debbie/Steve/Ben?	Bristol Airport Action Network (BAAN) and Save Felton Common have 2 separate campaigns but are also joining forces. BAAN are currently consulting with experts and taking legal advice and will be submitting a detailed objection. We are lobbying local parish councils, North Somerset Council , local MPs and the Mayor. We are also part of the No Airport Expansion national campaign that is lobbying politicians to not expand any airport in the UK. Save Felton common are supporting Winford Parish Council in objecting to any land grab of the common. WPC, the Felton Common Working Party and Save Felton Common will all be lodging detailed objections on the planning website.
How can I help with the resistence?	Debbie/Steve/Ben?	Make an objection on the North Somerset Planning portal by 28th June https://n-somerset.gov.uk/my-services/planning-building-control/planning-applications/bristol-airport-proposals – this is very important. 2) Come along to a protest on the A38 at 6pm on Friday 19th June. Bring your banners and meet at the corner of the common next to St Catherine’s church. 3). Join the Save Felton Common email list by emailing us at: savefeltoncommon@gmail.com and check our website regularly for updates: savefeltoncommon.org; 4) Volunteer to undertake activities 5) Like / comment on our socials and share with others, near and far- esp. anyone who cares for the countryside and ask them to lodge objections before the 28th June; 6) Stay engaged with the campaign, as it will be a long fight 7) Put up a placard outside your home 8) talk about the campaign with friends, family and colleagues to make sure people in wider area are aware 9) message us with any ideas / comments 10) watch /share/like the Goose on the Common Video on YouTube :https://youtu.be/cW0U-A76nEM? THANK YOU
Can you remind me of the dates of things happening?	Debbie/Steve/Ben?	Tuesday June 16th 7pm Felton Village Hall: Wildlife and Nature Evening, talks by three wildlife experts and commoner/farmer -come and discover more about the common’s wildlife and its ecology. Friday 19th June, 6pm-8pm – Peaceful demonstration from Felton Common along the A38 to draw public attention to the planning application & deadline. 28th June – submissions close for comments on North Somerset Planning Portal
Will the lights be on all night?	Debbie	I think the lights usually go on when flights are coming in to land and are off when nothing expected, so they could be on for extended periods when the airport is busy and lots of flights coming in. There often seem to be many flights coming in during the small hours. When we have bad weather with low visibility, they are also on during the day time. This is a question we could check with Andrew Goodchild at BAL
Is the replacement field offered inside the Airport boundary?	Debbie	Yes, currently the field that has been suggested is the one next to the Roundhouse. However it is not ‘like for like’ (not the same ecological value) so I understand BAL is seeking other possibilities.
What is liklihood of Felton Common being compulsorily purchased?	Debbie	It would have to be CP’d if they want to put the lights there, as Winford PC is not willing to sell. So it all depends on whether they want to pursue the longer runway & associated lighting for the larger planes.

Please note that we have answered the questions to the best of our ability but cannot guarantee that all our answers are 100% factually correct

When Bristol Airport first produced their Master Plan 2040 for consultation purposes about further expansion to 15mppa, BAAN produced a counter argument against expansion in an ‘Alternative’ Master Plan.

After the consultation ended Bristol Airport then dropped the bombshell that they would apply for a CPO (compulsory purchase order) to steal the top of Felton Common for the approach landing lights that they’d ‘forgotten’ to include in their Master Plan.

BAAN have now updated their Alternative Master Plan to include the argument for why taking Felton Common land is completely unacceptable.

You can see the updated version of BAAN’s Alternative Master Plan here

Objecting:

North Somerset Council planning control need to know your concerns about Bristol Airport’s expansion plans via the NSC planning consultation.

For your comments to be fully considered you need to cite valid ‘material considerations’ in your response. Material considerations are some of the criteria which the local authority has to use when determining a planning application, so if you refer to them the local authority will need to consider your comments more fully. 

To help with this we have prepared a letter of objection (below) citing what we think are the main relevant material considerations. 

The personal impact that more airport expansion would have on your life is really important for the planning officers to know. So it would be great if you can start by stating how the airport impacts YOU & YOUR life or the wider impact on how the airport affects your community.

You may also wish to make wider arguments against expansion (e.g. the impact on the climate crisis) but please also include some of the material consideration points below.

Use the link below to get to the comment page of the application. Fill in your details then choose the OBJECT option. Then either cut, paste and edit to select out the points you think most important or just copy the entire letter below. There are notes (in italics) at the bottom of this letter if you want to elaborate some points further).

Link to Planning Application (ref 26/P/0686/OU2)

Please note – if you have problems cutting and pasting because of our eco black background then please link to the document here on the BAAN google drive which you may find easier to copy and paste:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/15oC7-BJpV0ZfpobU51PGfZBO3i7yl3AdChG4H4ERspE/edit?usp=sharing

Letter / Comments against expansion:

I wish to object to Bristol Airport’s planning application to expand to 15mppa on the following grounds:

Traffic and Noise – Millions of extra passengers, mainly arriving by car, will increase congestion on already congested routes to the Airport. Bristol Airport expansion would negatively impact local neighbourhoods due to additional noise disturbance and more traffic congestion. Local roads are already often beyond their capacity. The noise and traffic issues are applicable both day and night with disturbance from a proposed additional 974 night flights being especially damaging to the health of local residents. Night flight numbers should be reduced, not increased.

Inadequate public transport provision – North Somerset Council’s local Core Strategy requires better provision of public transport to reduce adverse environmental impacts and contribute towards carbon reduction.  Bristol Airport expansion to 15mppa would  increase traffic to the airport by up to 50% and so hugely increase both carbon emissions and adverse environmental impacts.

Parking and Highway Safety – Bristol Airport expansion will negatively impact Highway safety and parking problems. Three million more passengers, mainly arriving by car, will inevitably cause more accidents on local roads and exacerbate rogue parking in local villages to avoid Airport car parking fees.

Effect on Nearby Conservation Areas – further expansion of Bristol Airport is out of character with the location of the airport and will have a devastating effect on nature, conservation, and biodiversity. The Airport’s recently revealed plans to take prime areas of Felton Common (a site of nature conservation) is a reason in itself to reject the Airports planning application.

Air and Water Pollution – airport expansion will create an increase in both air and water pollution from more planes and more cars. The cumulative effect of an increase in air and water pollution will harm both the health of people and the health of the local biodiversity. It will also destroy wildlife habitats.

Light Pollution – light pollution will increase dramatically if approach landing lights are sited on Felton Common and lighting for new car parks on green belt land are allowed.

Impact on Green Belt – further expansion of Bristol Airport onto yet more green belt land will have an adverse effect on nature, conservation, recreational spaces and biodiversity. Car parking is an inappropriate development of the Green Belt and is therefore contrary to both national and local planning policy which protects the Green Belt.

Public Safety – extending the runway towards Felton Common will mean planes approaching 12.5m lower. The NSC public safety zone calculator shows this would result in a 10-fold increase in the risk of a catastrophic incident on the Felton approach to the Airport.

Against National Policy – further expansion of Bristol Airport will not make a sustainable contribution to the local economy due to the scale of outbound leisure travel and it is uncertain whether further expansion will deliver additional, sustainable jobs.

Against Local Policy – the North Somerset Local Plan requires all development proposals to demonstrate how they will contribute to carbon neutrality in North Somerset by 2030. Increasing passenger numbers by almost 50% from current levels is irreconcilable with meeting the NSC 2030 carbon neutral target. 

For all the above reasons, please reject Bristol Airport’s expansion plans.

Further notes:

Traffic and Noise

Council policy expressly requires plans for Bristol Airport to demonstrate the satisfactory resolution of environmental issues, including the impact on surrounding communities and roads.

Any increase in aircraft movements also increases aircraft taxiing on the ground. The cumulative impacts of ground noise and air noise should be considered together as then the increase would be over 3 dB and have major implications for mitigation of noise. 

Inadequate public transport provision

The lack of meaningful levels of public transport to Bristol Airport means that a mass transit scheme to the airport.needs to be operational and proven to decrease traffic congestion before any increase in passenger numbers can be even considered. 

Parking and Highway Safety

The airport’s parking charges result in thoughtless and dangerous parking close to the airport, and parking problems much further from the airport. 

Effect on Nearby Conservation Areas

Bristol Airport is surrounded by rural communities, common land, nature reserves and areas of outstanding natural beauty. The infrastructure around the airport is of a rural nature, designed to service those communities and not an airport ever seeking to increase in size. 

Air and Water Pollution

Bristol Airport is located in an area feeding water into the River Chew and the Chew Valley Lake, Bristol’s primary drinking water reservoir. This makes water pollution from airport expansion of significant concern. Airport runoff, from toxic chemicals like de-icers is a significant pollutant threat to water supply.  More aircraft movements, ground vehicles and fuel storage increase the risk of hydrocarbon contamination entering surface drainage. A significant increase in car journeys increases the tyre particles, brake dust, oil, and heavy metals entering the Chew Valley river network.  According to the  Bristol Avon Rivers Trust the River Chew is already under significant pressure from pollution and so more vulnerable to additional pollution. 

Light Pollution

Any increased lighting will disrupt natural circadian rhythms in humans and wildlife, as well as disrupting migratory birds and night time mammals such as bats. Furthermore, the light pollution will create a permanent “twilight” that obliterates the night sky in an AONB.

Impact on Green Belt

The airport expansion plans require it to swallow up acres of green belt land and common land – cherished and pristine natural habitats that are home to protected species like orchids, nesting skylarks and waxcap fungi.

Nature Conservation

Felton Common is a designated local nature reserve and site of nature conservation, featuring species-rich grassland, rare waxcap fungi, and habitats for bats and declining bird species. It is managed for biodiversity under a DEFRA stewardship agreement.  This vital green space is recognised as a rare and irreplaceable habitat.  It would be morally and ecologically reprehensible to allow expansion onto this rare grassland habitat.

Public Safety

Bristol Airport’s plans to extend the runway and re-site the approach landing lights should be rejected until the safety concerns of people living in the vicinity of the airport are independently investigated.  Extending the runway towards Felton would mean planes approaching 12.5m lower. The NSC public safety zone calculator shows this would result in an increase in the risk of a catastrophic incident on the Felton approach to the Airport. North Somerset Council needs to assess the full health impacts of expansion on residents’ well being – particularly any long-term health implications for children. 

Against National Policy

National policy says a balance has to be struck between the positive economic impact of flights and the negative impacts on health, quality of life and productivity. A 2021 report by the New Economics Forum (NEF) found that Bristol Airport’s 12mppa expansion plans had ignored up to £1.9 billion worth of damage to the climate over the period 2025–2050. 

Against Local Policy

Bristol Airport’s expansion to 15mppa will generate significantly more carbon emissions from aircraft, ground transport and construction. The airport cannot credibly demonstrate consistency with a 2030 carbon neutrality target while simultaneously increasing passenger numbers by almost 50% from current levels.. Bristol Airport has not delivered on all of its 12mppa obligations which require a proven public transport modal share target of 17.5% and the building of a third multi-storey car park (MSCP3).

Bristol Airport should be refused all expansion aspirations until the following conditions are all fulfilled:

• EXPANSION should not be considered UNTIL the government has produced the revised ANPS (Airport National Policy Statement – draft due July 2026) which will re-determine how UK airport expansion should proceed regarding the government’s legally binding net zero targets. The government’s own EAC (Environmental Audit Committee) declared the current ANPS ‘not fit for purpose’.
• EXPANSION should not be considered UNTIL mass transit systems are in place and proven to improve current traffic issues by encouraging a far higher public transport modal share.
• EXPANSION should not be considered UNTIL Bristol Airport has proven how expansion will contribute to the Local Plan target of carbon neutrality by 2030
• EXPANSION should not be considered UNTIL an independent assessment of all the safety issues of extending the runway so close to the A38 has been made
• EXPANSION should not be considered UNTIL Bristol Airport has fulfilled all of its 12mppa planning permission obligations(e.g. building MSCP3 and achieving 17.5% Public Transport modal share)
• EXPANSION should not be considered UNTIL Low-carbon aviation (hydrogen power or electric flight) is a reality for commercial flights, not just an aspiration.

BAAN (Bristol Airport Action Network) has fact checked seven key statements by Bristol Airport, revealing a cynical web of distortion, obfuscation, and outright misleading claims. 

Statements by Airport leaders and in official documentation about a wide range of issues deliberately omit vital context to present the potential problems as inconsequential, such as the claim that expanding to 15 million passengers per annum (mppa) represents a 0.1% increase in the UK’s Carbon Budget.

BAAN has analysed the claims so that local residents have access to the facts – such as understanding that, in reality, 0.1% of the UK’s 6th Carbon Budget equates to 83% of total CO2 emissions from all of North Somerset’s transport, homes, and industry for all of 2023. 

The analysis comes ahead of Bristol Airport’s expected planning permission request this week (w/c 9 March 2025) in which many of these claims are likely to feature.

Mary Collett, a local environmental campaigner speaking for BAAN said:

“From touting misleading ‘net zero operations’ to unfounded promises of economic benefits, the Airport continues to play fast and loose with the facts to justify its profit-motivated, climate-wrecking expansion. 

“Local residents deserve the truth about how this expansion will affect their lives and damage their health – not more shameful obfuscation. 

“It’s outrageous that local residents need to be fact checking statements about an expansion that will affect all of us. But if the Airport keeps promising investment in Bristol’s economy despite clear evidence that new flights will do more for Dubai and Trump’s America than for us here in the South West, we promise to keep holding them to account. 

“We hope North Somerset councillors can see through the Airport’s distortions, spin and omissions. Until we have proven low-carbon technologies and proper, dedicated mass transit systems actually in place, we need to reject this unnecessary and unjustifiable expansion.”

The seven key fact checks published here raise serious questions about whether Bristol Airport has consulted honestly and transparently with local residents. 

BAAN research has currently debunked the following seven Airport claims – but there are plenty more…

Airport Claim	BAAN Verdict
“A preliminary assessment of emissions as a result of growth to 15 million passengers and the associated increase in air traffic movements concludes that they would be less than 0.1% of the Sixth Carbon Budget.” – Bristol Airport Masterplan to 2040, p.77	This lacks crucial context. 0.1% of the Sixth Carbon Budget works out to an extra 965,000 tonnes of CO2e. That’s 83% of the annual CO2 emissions for the entire North Somerset region’s transport, homes, and industry in 2023.  It is downright misleading to present this as a tiny-seeming increase, particularly as the Airport appears to be comparing their annual growth to the 5 year total in the UK Carbon Budget.
“Emissions from aircraft and ground operations and road traffic affect air quality in the immediate vicinity of the Airport. Emissions from Bristol Airport will increase as passenger throughput grows from 12 to 15 million passengers per annum (mppa). At this stage, emissions impacts at ecological receptors…are predicted to remain within all legal limits.” – Bristol Airport Masterplan to 2040, p.76	A staggering understatement to say that an extra million tonnes of CO2 emissions per year will ‘affect’ air quality. The UK’s relevant legal limits are up to five times higher than WHO guidelines for air quality – simply being below those limits will not prevent harm.  The Airport’s Master Plan makes no direct mention of aircraft emissions other than CO2. Particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, soot, and Ultra Fine Particles (UFPs) are also emitted from planes and are all strongly linked to long-lasting negative health impacts.
“We’re delighted to open the Public Transport Interchange ahead of schedule and on budget… By more than doubling the number of bus and coach bays, this demonstrates we are committed to encouraging customers to use public transport where possible.”  – Dave Lees, CEO of Bristol Airport in Airport Industry News, July 2025	Deceptive PR spin. The public transport figures are still woefully inadequate at around 16% of all passengers.  Car parking is one of the Airport’s main sources of income, earning £75 million in 2024  (approaching 40% of the airport’s total revenue). The 15mppa expansion calls for a further 33 hectares of green belt land to be repurposed for thousands of new car parking spaces, rather than calling for a much higher level of public transport. Additional emissions from the extra cars required to keep the Airport financially afloat will entirely outweigh any carbon savings made through more public transit.
“We recognise the concerns about carbon emissions resulting from Airport growth and the implications for climate change. So, we’re bringing forward proposals for what we consider to be responsible growth, which is both within the current UK carbon budgets required to meet net zero for all emissions by 2050, and with measures to achieve net zero airport operations by 2030” – Dave Lees, CEO of Bristol Airport, Airport’s International July 2025	Misleading. What does ‘responsible growth’ even mean? The UK’s Climate Change Committee has repeatedly advised against airport expansion until working decarbonisation technology is available.  ‘Net zero operations’ represent less than 1% of the Airport’s climate impact – a laughable measure that completely ignores the emissions from actual aircraft.  The New Economics Foundation (NEF) has estimated that Bristol Airport’s previous expansion to 12mppa alone will cause up to £13.4 billion in climate damage through to 2050.
“Our proposals to grow would deliver 1,000 extra on-site jobs, create new direct links to the Middle East and North America, and generate an additional £1bn for our regional economy.” – Airport statement in Bristol 24/7, October 2025	There’s no evidence that this will happen – and previous expansions argue against it. Construction work for 12mppa expansion hasn’t finished yet, so it’s hard to be sure of any long-term job increases. Expansion in 2006 from 6mppa to 10mppa only delivered around one third of the promised 1,500 jobs within 10 years (Comparing FTE figures Masterplan 2006 pg 38 to Bristol Airport AMR 2021 pg 36) Research by the New Economics Foundation (NEF) cited in the 2022 inquiry into Bristol Airport 12mppa expansion said that claims for economic growth from airport expansion were ’grossly exaggerated’. The report found that Bristol Airport actually creates an ‘outbound tourism effect’ whereby for every one inbound tourist, five UK residents fly out from Bristol on holiday – seriously draining the local economy.  NEF research also found that much of the economic activity associated with airport expansion is displaced from other airports like Heathrow – it’s not creating new benefits. Their analysis found that, once that displacement is factored in, the economic case for expansion to 12mppa was overstated by 50-70%.
“Since publishing the Master Plan the Airport has continued to refine its design to ensure it meets all relevant safety standards set by the Civil Aviation Authority, the UK’s independent regulator for aviation.  “In order for the runway to continue operating safely, for all types of aircraft and in all weather conditions, the airport would need to relocate the existing approach lighting and install additional safety features at the eastern end of the runway.  This is required in order to facilitate the new routes to America and the Middle East.‘”   – Airport statement to Bristol Post, November 2025	False and misleading. Freedom of Information requests by BAAN revealed that there has been no consultation between Bristol Airport and the CAA about needing to extend the runway or change the approach landing lights.  There are already flights from Bristol to Egypt, and previous long-haul services operated as recently as 2023. Devastating Felton Common has nothing to do with meeting safety standards.  This isn’t about safety – it’s about profit maximisation. Bristol already meets CAA standards and the regulator has said absolutely nothing about whether expansion or a runway extension is needed in the first place.
“We’re enormously pleased with the level of response to our draft Master Plan consultation and grateful for everyone who took the time to share their views. Our team has carefully studied all the responses and are using them to shape our detailed proposals before submitting a planning application.” – Dave Lees, CEO of Bristol Airport in the International Airport Review, June 2025	Another misleading dodge. The Master Plan consultation is a private document and there is no public access to comments. Winford Parish Council published its official response to the draft Master Plan raising many concerns about expansion and the potential impact on Felton Common of extending the runway. Bristol Airport did not respond to any of the questions. The Final Master Plan made zero references to Felton Common despite knowing that catastrophic expansion onto that unique community space was part of the plan.  The Airport only commented once BAAN went public with concerns about the expansion plans. They described the devastating plans as “necessary”.

Please make sure you fill in the ‘feedback form’ at the bottom of the Airport’s consultation before 19th December and let them know that you oppose their plans and encourage everyone else you know to also fill out the feedback. The number of responses really matters.

https://www.bristolairport.co.uk/lighting-consultation

Here are some important points to make:

• You would lose the public right to roam and lose recreational use of the land, a right which has belonged to local people for centuries.
• Explain how you use the common at the moment.
• Explain why losing access to part of the common would affect your use. 
• Explain why gaining access to nearby replacement land (likely part of the current field owned by the airport abutting Felton Common & currently housing landing lights) wouldn’t be of equal value or use and isn’t adequate to offset the loss. This ‘replacement’ land is too close to the Airport and the A38 meaning more noise and more air pollution, making it unsuitable for children, walking dogs and horse riders.
• Add that there would be a loss of grazing rights which have been in place for centuries (and are currently being used).
• Mention that the current amazing views would be interrupted by 9m tall lights and 3m fencing.
• Light pollution would be intense for local people, as would the increased noise from planes flying lower overhead.
• Please copy & paste (or screen grab) your response & email to Annemieke.Waite@n-somerset.gov.uk (Winford NSC councillor) & winfordpc@gmail.com otherwise we can’t hold the airport to account over consultation responses. 

And some further optional points:

Bristol Airport flew non-stop transatlantic flights to Newark (New York) between 2005-2010 using the existing runway. However, weight restrictions due to the shorter runway meant that planes couldn’t operate with a ‘full payload’. Bristol Airport just wants to extend the runway so they can fit more passengers & cargo on each plane and make bigger profits.

More recently, long haul flights to Cancun (Mexico), Florida, the Dominican Republic and various Caribbean destinations have flown direct from Bristol using the existing runway. These flights no longer happen, but they are possible with the existing runway. 

An extended runway would mean that the NSC public safety zones on the top of Felton Common would change from 1in 100,000 risk  to 1 in 10,000 risk. Given there may be up to 100,00 flights per year this is an unacceptable level of risk for people who live around Felton Common and those who use the Common.

BAAN – SAVE FELTON COMMON

Meeting Minutes

2nd December 6.30pm – 8pm, Felton Hall
Panel: Richard Baxter, Steve Clarke, Hillary Burn, Debbie Johnson. Ben Moss, Mary Collett
1. Introduction by Richard Baxter
Richard opened meeting by summing up Bristol Airports expansion plan to apply for a CPO to remove common land status from Felton Common and to use the land to install landing lights, fencing, a power supply, and an access road to facilitate an expansion plan to raise passenger numbers from 12M to 15M, a longer runway and long-haul flights to locations in Dubai and the USA.
Richard explained the purpose of the meeting was to form a local group, with a core committee, to help organise meetings, actions, media coverage and to set up routes of communication to encourage the public, locals and further afield, to resist the Airports bid to forcibly take their land. Richard introduced the panel of speakers and gave a brief history of BAAN the meetings organisers, who believe Bristol Airport is Big Enough.
1. Panel speeches
Steve Clarke demonstrated the weight of objections versus support for Bristol Airports last expansion planning application. Which was won but later overturned at appeal. He spoke of how rare it was for airports to attempt a takeover of common land, Blackbushe Airport being one example, which failed. Steve went through the probable legal process, how long it might take (potentially up to 3 years), and how a local group could form to organise people to fight the long fight. He suggested people respond to the Airports consultation, deadline 19th December, write to MP’s and Councillors, but did say it would be the Secretary of State who would decide the fate of the Common. He ended by saying if the Common was lost it would be lost to the people forever.
Ben Moss spoke of the Airports wide reaching and forever effects, including those on the climate. He talked about the airports new owner, MacQuarie, an Australian Financial Services group, known as the ‘Kangaroo Vampires’. He spoke of his sadness when we lost the last expansion appeal, and the incompetence and deception of the Airport leaving the Common Land landing lights out of their Masterplan. He finished by reading a verse from the 17thC folk song, The Goose and The Common.
Hillary Burn talked of her 20-year fight against Airport expansion, her position on Cleeve Parish Council and the Parish Council Airport Association. She gave her, and the Cleeve Parish Councils support, to the people of Felton. Said the argument would come down to Public Interest, either the Airports or ours, the people.
Debbie Johnson explained she was a long-standing member of the Felton Common working committee which worked with the Parish Council to manage the Common. She talked about how precious the Common was. She said how she had believed the clear boundary of the Airports Land and the Common Land would protect Felton and further from expansion to the East and was amazed the Airport could stoop this low. She talked about the current status of the common, as a Nature Reserve and Area of Conservation. She said Felton Common was in a Higher Stewardship agreement with Natural England to improve biodiversity of the Common even further and to protect it for future generations. For example, a recent survey had discovered a rich source of Waxcap Fungi on the common and it was of National importance. She said Natural England were planning a response and had described the Common as a finite resource, being so unusual and increasingly rare – in their words it was irreplaceable.
Mary Collett explained the timeline for the process the Airport might take to acquire the Common Land, explaining it could involve 1 or 2 public enquiries and could take 2-3 years. She urged people to respond to the consultation, to question the quality of replacement land offered and how the Airports claims to be good for the local economy were not true. The promised jobs never materialise, and the Airport’s business acts as a money drain not a tap as most people use Bristol Airport to leave the area to spend their money abroad, they don’t bring money into the area.
1. Message from Annemieke Waite
Richard read out a message from the Parish Councillor in which she urged people to respond to the Consultation before 19th December
1. Questions and Answers
It was asked if the Common was an SSI? Debbie Johnson explained it wasn’t but even the Airports own Ecologist admitted it was a precious resource, even though this was not a view he shared with the Airport. She talked of the Skylarks breeding site, which is exactly where the landing lights would be installed. She said she hoped to raise national awareness even contacting activists like Chris Packham.
An attendee wanted to raise the issue of the Airport becoming a Category III airport.
An attendee explained how Sadik Al-Hassan, the Labour MP for North Somerset, seemed firmly on the side of the Airport and was ignoring the feelings of his Constituents. Steve Clarke urged people to continue to write to or email him to try and persuade him to listen to their concerns.
A long-standing resident of Felton expressed the safety concerns if this expansion into the common went ahead. Planes lower, bigger and very close to housing. He acknowledged the risk was low but that any accident would be catastrophic.
Hillary Burn explained about a Consultation Committee meeting on 15th January and people could send their questions or contact her with questions to ask.
1. Group Discussions
Richard Baxter suggested people move into groups to discuss possible actions and next steps and to put themselves forward for the new Felton Common Committee. Those present formed groups
1. Thanks
Jackie Head clarified that we were collecting contact details for the BAAN newsletter and would send initial information about post meeting developments via this list.
Richard Baxter thanked attendees for coming to the meeting and collected the names put forward for the committee.

BAAN press release 3rd Nov 2025

In a shocking oversight, Bristol Airport is scrambling to consult on new plans to accommodate the basic functionality needed for its multimillion pound proposed runway extension to allow transatlantic flights.

Sources close to Bristol Airport have revealed that their recent ‘Master Plan’ failed to include plans for approach landing lights, an obvious and essential safety feature.

Bristol Airport Action Network (BAAN), a grassroots movement of local residents and environmental campaigners, understands that Bristol Airport intends to urgently seek ‘further consultations’ on ‘amendments’ to their Master Plan. The critical questions under consideration include the embarrassingly basic issue of where to put the approach landing lights.  

BAAN also understands that the Airport will announce a consultation on the 6th of November to propose commandeering part of Felton Common to site the approach lights as this would be the ‘cheapest option’. 

Richard Baxter, a local environmental campaigner speaking for BAAN said: 

“This is absolutely outrageous and unacceptable. We’ve seen this time and time again – the Airport slowly creeps beyond its borders to commandeer even more land for its corporate cash grab. 

“Felton residents shouldn’t have their community space reduced and their homes and wildlife facing such intense light pollution just to spare the Airport its blushes for forgetting about the safe landing of its long haul flights.

“This latest fiasco further undermines the Airports so-called ‘Master Plan’ and leaves us all asking – what else have they forgotten to tell us?”

BAAN research suggests that the approach would be a row of bright white elevated lights placed 30 metres apart and stretching more than 250 metres long – roughly equivalent to the length of Park Street in Bristol. The space will then need additional security measures, including a tall green fence to prevent people accessing the space. 

It is anticipated that the new lights would allow the larger long-haul planes needed for transatlantic flights to approach the extended runway on a trajectory around 9 metres lower than before. This could create a considerable additional vortex and exacerbate an existing effect which has already caused residents to lose roof tiles from their houses. The full implications of this change on local residents and public health is unclear.   

Felton Common, about 100 acres of designated open access land, is a cherished recreational space for residents as well as a local nature reserve, a conservation space, and an important archaeological site that includes Scheduled Ancient Monuments.

More than 400 acres of green belt land has already been re-designated for airport use in the last 20 years, even before this shocking news about Felton Common land.

The Bristol Tree Forum (BTF) has stated that the new 15mppa planning application is expected to try to grab even more green belt land. In a recent press release BTF said:

“[The 15mmpa expansions plans] would result in the disappearance of 33 hectares [80 acres] of green belt, as tarmac is laid for yet more car parks, an excellent source of revenue for airports. These new parking areas are full of habitats vital for nature – broad-leaved woodland and scattered trees, species-rich native hedgerows and grasslands, tall vegetation, scrub habitats, standing open water and ponds.”

Bristol Airport admits that its proposals will require the ‘development of land’ that are currently open fields to the north, west, and south of the airfield – much of which will be for car parking. It claims that the effects of its proposals on the wider landscape will be considered. 

Bristol Airport’s plans to apply early in 2026 to expand to 15 million passengers per year have been dealt a blow by the Parliamentary cross -party Environment Audit Committee report out today.

The EAC report entitled ‘Airport Expansion and Climate and Nature Targets’ casts doubt on whether airport expansion will actually bring economic growth. – particularly as the Government did not provide any evidence of levels of economic benefit from airport expansion to the committee. The report said ‘the Government has not demonstrated that the economic growth from airport expansion provides enough benefit to outweigh the negative climate and environmental impacts it will lead to.’

Local campaigner Mary Collett from BAAN (Bristol Airport Action Network) said:
‘This report from the EAC is really important. It is quite ironic that their first recommendation is that the government should actually quantify whether expansion DOES bring any economic growth. The last Bristol Airport expansion was allowed, despite huge local opposition, largely because the Inspectors thought that the economic gain would outweigh the environmental harm. BAAN have been saying for some time that the evidence from Bristol Airport’s previous expansions does not show any real economic benefit. Bristol Airport has previously wildly over-estimated future jobs and economic gain but sadly we’re all well aware of the harms that expansion brings in terms of more air pollution, more noise and more traffic. In the survey BAAN recently carried out, 84% of people living near the airport said they felt no economic benefit at all from living close to the airport.’

The MP’s report sets out further recommendations for the Government to implement which include:

imposing air quality limits for areas surrounding airports covering all key air pollutants (such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter) so that any airport expansion is accompanied by measures to ensure there are no net increase in air pollution caused by expansion plans.

minimising the impacts of noise pollution on those who live under and around flight paths and include a target on the level of acceptable noise from flights both individually and cumulatively.

conducting a wider review of aviation taxation to ensure that the ‘polluter pays’ principle is upheld, and the aviation industry does not continue to receive benefits which are denied to other important industries.

Stephen Clarke, one of the organisers of a national group against airport expansion said: ‘NoAirportExpansion.org is a coalition of airport campaigners calling for a three year moratorium on airport expansion. We don’t believe that.expansion of the aviation industry can possibly be compatible with the UK’s legal commitment to reach net zero by 2050. The EAC report highlights that aviation is “artificially cheap” because it doesn’t pay for its carbon emissions through a direct carbon tax or even pay VAT on their fuel. Anyone with a car has paid more VAT on their fuel than Easyjet or any of the other major airlines has ever paid – how is that fair? The committee is also recommending that the government should conduct a wider review of aviation taxation to ensure that the ‘polluter pays’ principle is upheld. So people who fly a lot more should pay a lot more. A final, and really important recommendation is that the Government should set out how cumulative impacts from all current UK airports and future airport expansion should be accounted for in the planning process; at the moment they are considered in isolation. This would mean that any further expansion of Bristol Airport has to be considered alongside other applications from airports to expand.
Heidi Alexander (Sec of State for Transport) reaffirmed Labour’s commitments to the ‘Four Tests’ for airport expansion on Wednesday in Parliament when she said:
‘… in carrying out this review [of the Airports National Policy Statement], we will consider how any proposed scheme must meet four clear tests: that it contributes to economic growth across the country; that it meets our air quality obligations; that it is consistent with our noise commitments; and, crucially, that it aligns with our legal obligations on climate change, including net zero.’
It’s hard to see how those tests can be made to fit with the 250,000 extra flights from the Heathrow expansion plans or the 100,000 extra from Gatwick expansion plans, let alone other regional airport expansions and an almost 50% increase from the present size at Bristol Airport.