B&NES Councillors Oppose Airport Expansion

20 March 2025

Councillors in Bath & North East Somerset voted to renew the council’s opposition Bristol Airport’s expansion plans, sending a clear message that airport expansion is incompatible with Net Zero goals and is strongly rejected by local communities.

From left: Cllrs David Harding, Sarah Warren and Paul May in the Council Chamber of Bath’s Guildhall

This follows the announcement of a new airport ‘masterplan’, covering the period to 2040, which highlighted Bristol Airport’s ambition to expand capacity to 15 million passengers per year, with over 14,000 extra flights, including a thousand more night flights.

By agreeing this updated position, councillors intend that B&NES should object to any future planning application, as the council will be a statutory consultee. In addition, B&NES will call on the government to reconsider their position on airport expansion in line with scientific advice.

Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency and Sustainable Travel, Councillor Sarah Warren, said:

“The most recent – very clear – recommendation of the independent Climate Change Committee, is to stop any further airport expansion and adopt a UK-wide capacity management framework. Without this, the UK cannot hope to achieve Net Zero goals and help prevent the worst impacts of climate change.

“We are sending a strong, message to the airport, and to government, just as we have done before in Bath and North East Somerset: Bristol Airport is Big Enough.”

Chew Valley Councillor David Harding highlighted the horrendous problems the airport causes for communities in the area. He said:

“Bristol Airport is not a good neighbour. The impact is felt everywhere in the Chew Valley and across the whole area. Aside from pollution and noise, we see speeding cars, traffic jams at village pinch points, unofficial and illegal parking in fields and outside people’s houses.

“This will only get worse as the airport’s expansion is dependent upon ever-increasing car use. The site is served by a single-track A road – the A38 – and country lanes. Mass transit is treated as an afterthought. The expansion is predicted to increase passenger journeys to 24 million per year. The majority will reach the airport by car.

“It’s not unfair to say the site at Lulsgate Bottom is a massive car park with an airport attached.”

Publow with Whitchurch Councillor, Paul May, who is also Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, added:

“Our future rests with our children. We have a duty to protect them from the long-term impacts of climate change and the immediate damage from air pollution and traffic danger.

“Communities across the district are strongly opposed to further expansion of Bristol Airport.”

The Liberal Democrat motion to full Council on Opposing Bristol Airport Expansion was adopted by 44 votes in favour to 0 against and 2 abstentions. This is a refreshed position from B&NES Councillors, who have consistently spoken out against the airport expansion – including previous motions in 2019 and 2022.