Eastleigh council votes to approve runway extension

AXO: 'This is not the end'

By Maria Zaccaro, Local Democracy Reporter

eastleigh borough council tackling climate change tight crop 460After hours of deliberation by Eastleigh full council, plans to expand the runway at Southampton Airport were given the 'green' light at just after 2.15am on Saturday (April 10).

 

Twenty-two councillors voted in favour of the proposals to expand the runway by 164m.

Thirteen councillors voted against the plans and one abstained.

Over the past two days hundreds of people watched the online debate over the plans that have divided public opinion.

While those opposing the plans called for them to be refused largely on the grounds of climate change, noise and pollution grounds, those in favour generally said it would boost the economy and create new jobs.

Whether the airport would survive if it didn't get its extension was also questioned.

runway feb 2021 sun 460pxP1010684

It was previously revealed that the number of people affected by noise would go from 11,450 in 2020 to 46,050 in 2033 if the expansion went ahead.

But officers said the mitigation measures proposed – including insulation and a cap on vehicles to restrict passengers to 3m per annum – would result in a "moderate adverse impact".

During the debate councillors were told that the expansion would create more than 1,000 jobs, boost the local economy and result in a £15m investment.

More than 200 people had registered to speak at the meeting, and several councillors acknowledged they were faced with a difficult decision.
Cllr Margaret Atkinson, leader of the Conservative Group, said: "The decision the council takes on this application is probably the most important it ever takes as it will shape the future of the borough and of its residents for generations to come."

Cllr Wayne Irish (Lib Dem) added: "This has been probably the most difficult planning application for me in all my 39 years as a councillor on this council."

A number of councillors said they couldn't support the plans and raised concerns over the impact of the runway expansion on climate change and noise.

Cllr Louise Parker-Jones (Independent) said: "I am not reassured there are the right mitigation processes in place. I really fear for Eastleigh, I really fear why this has been pushed through so so quickly. There is no planet B."

Cllr Tina Campbell EBC

Cllr Tina Campbell, left, who had chaired the previous Local Area Committee meeting which had thrown out the plans and subsequently resigned from the ruling Lib Dem group, added: "We are in a climate emergency. We can support people get another job. There isn't another planet. We have to prioritise climate emergency."

Southampton Airport bosses said they would have to face difficult decisions if the plans were going to be rejected.

airport operations director steve szalay screengrab

Steve Szalay, operations director at the airport (pictured speaking at a previous meeting), said: "It's a very divisive issue. This is our plan to adapt, to make sure we become a viable business again. We cannot sustain loss of £8m a year. There's no maths that suggest the airport will be ok. There's nobody here denying a climate emergency. With a sound economy we can find a technological solution which would decarbonise the country. Back the airport, back the development of green technology. You tonight hold the keys to thousands of jobs. A vote for the runway extension secures our future, it secures current jobs, it creates more jobs."

During the debate councillors were also told that the airport is a lifeline for residents in the Channel Islands.

At the end of the debate, Cllr Keith House, leader of Eastleigh Borough Council (Lib Dem), asked councillors to approve the proposals.

Following the vote, campaign group Airport eXpansion Opposition (AXO) said that it was "a blow for thousands of local people and millions around the globe".

The group tweeted: "This is not the end, we will be taking advice as to our options for future action", adding "we are not giving up here".

 

 

Cllr David Pragnell (Lib Dem) who voted in favour, wrote on ‘Chandler’s Ford local politics’ Facebook group this morning after the decision :

There were some significant consessions (sic) made by the airport that gives EBC a say on the rate of expansion and noise. Some will be disappointed. I can only say that the opposition has dramatically changed the application for the better. The crux of the position is that planning law covered the process. We are required to presume consent if the applicant satisfies planning law requirements. They did, so a refusal could remove all consessions at the appeal that they would almost certainly win.”

This is how councillors voted on plans to expand the runway at Southampton Airport.
F= for
A= against
Full list:
Councillor David Airey  F
Councillor Margaret Allingham F
Councillor Janice Asman F
Councillor Margaret Atkinson F
Councillor Tim Bearder  A
Councillor Paul Bicknell  F
Councillor Alex Bourne  F
Councillor Alan Broadhurst F
Councillor Tina Campbell A
Councillor Daniel Clarke A
Councillor Ian Corben F
Councillor Nicholas Couldrey A
Councillor Tonia Craig F
Councillor Malcolm Cross F
Councillor Ray Dean A
Councillor Jephthe Doguie A
Councillor James Duguid F
Councillor Cynthia Garton F
Councillor Richard Gomer A
Councillor Judith Grajewski F
Councillor Steve Holes F
Councillor Keith House F
Councillor Wayne Irish A
Councillor Lucy Jurd A
Councillor Rupert Kyrle A
Councillor Darshan Mann F
Councillor Adam Manning F
Councillor Michelle Marsh A
Councillor Louise Parker-Jones A
Councillor David Pragnell F
Councillor Derek Pretty F
Councillor Jane Rich F
Councillor Bruce Tennent F
Councillor Gin Tidridge ABSTAINED
Councillor Adrian Trace F
Councillor Sara Tyson-Payne A

22 in favour
13 against
1 abstained

Additional reporting: bitternepark.info

Updated 10/4/21 to add quote from Cllr Pragnell


ldrs logo 200px This article is from the Local Democracy Reporting Service or Shared Data Unit. Some alterations and additions may have been made by our site, which is a partner in the BBC's Local News Partnerships scheme. LDRS journalists are funded by the BBC to cover local authorities and other public service organisations, and content is shared with all partners.


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