Bristol Airport expansion to be challenged in High Court

A local campaign group are taking their fight to stop the expansion of Bristol Airport all the way to High Court.

Bristol Airport Action Network (BAAN) have lodged an appeal against the Planning Inspectorate’s recent controversial decision to give expansion the go-ahead.

Despite originally rejecting the plans on environmental grounds, North Somerset Council will not be challenging the ruling.

BAAN’s legal challenge will highlight what they claim are “errors in law” in the inspectorate’s decision.

The group believe these include “incorrect interpretation of local planning strategies and aviation policies; ignoring the importance of local carbon budgets and not adequately considering the extra non-carbon emissions that would be caused by the expansion”.

BAAN are a coalition formed to oppose the expansion plans – photo: BAAN

Plans will see the capacity of the airport rise from 10 to 12 million passengers per year while adding thousands more parking spaces. Bristol Airport chief executive Dave Lees said expansion will boost the economy, help job creation and reduce car journeys made to London airports.

But the inspectorate’s ruling in February, which overturned local decision-making, was met with public outcry.

This included from BAAN, who have campaigned against proposals since 2018 and say expansion would be detrimental to the lives of local people and the environment.

Stephen Clarke, from the group, said: “This decision is so damaging for the local people and the climate that it simply cannot be allowed to stand unchallenged.”

Tarisha Finnegan-Clarke, from BAAN’s coordinating committee said: “This airport expansion is not wanted; nor is it needed.

“We contest this outrageous decision on behalf of the local residents whose lives are already blighted by the airport and the many parish, town and city councils that have declared climate emergencies and have written statements of opposition throughout the process.”

Local people and organisations have raised £20,000 in two weeks to cover the cost of legal fees.

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Read more: “The case of Bristol Airport exposes the gaping flaw in national planning guidance”

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North Somerset Council has confirmed, “with heavy hearts”, it will not to pursue a legal challenge.

Council leader Don Davies said: “Unfortunately our disagreement with the inspectors’ conclusions on the planning merits is not a relevant ground for challenge.

“The legal advice we’ve had is that pursuing a challenge would carry ‘a high level of risk’. Not only would it incur significant further costs but, even if successful and the inspectors’ decision was quashed, it is highly likely that on redetermination planning permission would simply be granted again.

“Therefore sadly we have reluctantly accepted the legal advice we have been given and with very heavy hearts have concluded not to take the case to court.”

He added: “We cannot justify risking more public money on a process that is unlikely to change anything.”

A spokesperson for Bristol Airport told Bristol24/7: “We have been made aware of BAAN CC’s intention to challenge the recent Independent Planning Inspectors’ decision but as we have received no indication of the grounds of any challenge, we are unable to comment further.”

Main photo: BAAN

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