Local opposition growing to expansion plans by Southampton airport
A group within Southampton Friends of the Earth has set up a campaign to oppose Southampton Airport expansion. Despite the Government’s recent commitment to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, there are many airport expansion applications across the UK. This expansion cannot enable the aviation sector to meet even its current, easy, carbon target – let alone the much more stringent one required for a zero-carbon Britain by 2050. The airport will probably submit its planning application to extend the runway by 170 metres to Eastleigh Borough Council in the next few weeks. The scoping report and Master Plan have received approval in principle from Southampton City Council. Twyford Parish Council has objected, due to a proposed increase of flights over the village. Eastleigh Greens are likely to be objecting as well. Friends of the Earth Southampton are currently putting together a petition to Southampton City Council to ask them to re-think their support for airport expansion, given that the Government is asking for net zero carbon by 2050. Campaigners started a group here to oppose the proposed expansion but it has not got a name yet. People interested can get in touch via the local FoE group foesoton@gmail.com
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Southampton airport expansion plans
The airport’s Masterplan is at https://www.southamptonairport.com/draft-masterplan-2018/
There was a consultation last year, which closed in October.
The airport wants to extend the runway and increase the number of flights, allowing it to more than double passenger numbers from two million to five million a year by 2037. A final version of the plans was then drawn up with a planning application due to be submitted soon.
The group’s FoE pages as contact: https://www.facebook.com/FriendsofEarthSouthampton/ and https://friendsoftheearth.uk/groups/southampton
People interested are invited to join the FoE mailing list. There will only be occasional emails about airport stuff – so best way to keep in touch – email foesoton@gmail.com
Friends of the Earth Southampton are currently putting together a petition to Southampton City Council to ask them to re-think their support for airport expansion, given that the Government is asking for net zero carbon by 2050.
FoE is hoping for the November full Council meeting. However, they say if Eastleigh Borough Council puts the airport’s application for expansion into its September Planning Committee we will have to abandon the petition and go for an all out campaign asking people to contact their councillors to object, and putting in objections to the planning application.
We have heard that Hampshire Climate Action Network is putting together a Hampshire-wide group against airport expansion too.
There are issues about trees being felled. The airport are trying to argue that they can fell the trees in a copse under a “tree management” banner, rather than it being prior to and facilitating expansion. The trees are within the City Council boundary and are all protected. However, the City Council (although it objected to this work in 1983 and 2003) is giving the work the nod.
There is quite a bit of obfuscation going on about who is for approving the tree felling – whether it is the Forestry Commission for the large trees or Southampton City Council for the Tree Protection Zone? The Forestry Commission has said “not us – its SCC” but it remains unclear.
The expansion issue compounded by the consultation and proposals for air space changes. Parts of Southampton could be badly affected by increased noise from more jets taking off daily.
Campaigners started a group here to oppose the proposed expansion of Southampton Airport. We haven’t got a name yet, but we can be contacted via the local FoE group.
It’s likely that the airport will submit it’s application to extend the runway by 170 metres to Eastleigh Borough Council in the next few weeks. The scoping report and Master Plan have received approval in principle from Southampton City Council. Twyford Parish Council has objected, due to a proposed increase of flights over the village. Eastleigh Greens are likely to be objecting as well.
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See earlier:
Southampton Airport expansion moving forward as bosses prepare to submit plans
7th May 2019
Southampton Airport is pushing ahead with major expansion plans which could double the number of passengers travelling through the airport.
Bosses will submit a formal planning application to the local authority, following a public consultation.
But campaigners say it would increase noise pollution and damage the environment.
The airport has released impressions of how the expanded airport could look
Under the plans announced last year, the runway would be made longer, allowing more flights to travel to more destinations.
The terminal would also be expanded, with 4,000 extra parking spaces being built.
Airport executives predict that flight numbers would increase from just over 39,000 a year now, to more than 50,000 in ten years – reaching 58,000 by 2037.
The airport says: “Our ambitions to grow the airport to provide more choice, more connectivity for passengers, are really taking shape now.”
Hundreds of people took part in a major consultation on the plans and the airport say it has taken into account concerns raised.
But not everyone agrees with the plans, with some worried about the affect it could have on their neighbourhood and the environment.
GARETH NARBED, CAMPAIGNER said: “I’m appalled actually by the potential effects on the whole of Southampton…the expansion plan is really going to have a major effect on a lot of people.”
The airport says it’s due to submit plans to the council later in the summer.
Last updated Tue 7 May 2019
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