Bristol Airport (BRS) has submitted expansion plans to North Somerset council that would allow the airport to accommodate flights to new destinations and see an extra 3 million passengers passing through its doors each year. The idea has sparked controversy amongst local residents who are concerned about the environmental impact of such a move, and the airport’s plans to expand onto Felton Common, a local nature reserve.
A new era for Bristol Airport
Bristol Airport has been the target for rapid expansion in the past few years, having previously been granted permission to extend capacity from 10 million passengers per year to 12 million. The new proposals for the airport are even more ambitious, aiming to increase its passenger numbers to 15 million by the latter half of the 2030s.
Other changes that have been proposed in the plans include expanding the runway to make it possible for flights to new destinations, such as the Middle East and North America, to depart from the airport, and increasing the number of night flights.
The Chief Executive of Bristol Airport, David Lees, has stated that these proposals would:
“Deliver what customers have told us they want to see at their local airport – opportunities to visit places further afield and for businesses to expand into new international markets.”
However, he also noted that he was aware of the impact of the expansion on the surrounding area, adding that the airport would invest in quieter aircraft technology to reduce noise pollution for local residents.
The controversy surrounding the new plans
Despite this, there is still controversy among local residents regarding the proposed changes. Much of the uproar centres around the airport’s plans to expand into Felton Common by installing fences and lighting in the nature reserve.
This has prompted the formation of Save Felton Common (SFC), a new community group focused on fighting to preserve the area. Julie Main, the vice chair of SFC, compared the battle between the airport and locals to “David and Goliath,” urging local people and politicians to realise the importance of the issue.
“This is a very old common that is used heavily by everyone in the local area. It’s a nature reserve with loads of fauna, flora, and skylarks – we really we want to protect this for our future.”
Bristol Airport Action Network (BAAN) have also called for a halt to the plans, citing their potential environmental impacts. Stephen Clark, a campaigner for the group, stated:
“We said it before the last expansion, and we will say it again; Bristol Airport is simply big enough.”
Around 3,000 local residents have already provided feedback on the plans during a 2024 public consultation, but will have another opportunity to have their voices heard when the application is published on North Somerset Council’s website. This is expected to occur within the next two weeks, with the final decision being reached later this year.
Have you ever flown from Bristol Airport? Do you agree that it is already big enough? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
