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. |