News / Bristol airport
Latest on Bristol Airport master plan revealed
Bristol Airport has revealed the latest on a master plan that is expected to shape its future growth over the next decade.
With passenger numbers anticipated to increase from eight million a year, to as much as 20 million by the mid-2040s, a phased expansion is being proposed to cope with demand.
Following an earlier consultation, the airport has released details of the second phase of this development, along with its vision for the next decade of growth in a document titled ‘Towards 2050′.
A second consultation launched on Monday, May 14 ahead of a planning application for expansion plans to increase capacity to 12 million passengers a year.
Design options for an “inspirational gateway, improved boundary screening, and innovative uses for a proposed air-side platform” are also presented, along with plans for a new canopy at the front of the building, an additional multi-storey car park and changes to the on-site road layout.
The airport is promising more details on how it intends to address the impact of the proposed expansion on the local community and environment in the wake of concerns raised by some residents, campaigners and councillors about the potential negative affect of the plans.
Janis Kong, chairman of Bristol Airport, said: “It was clear from the initial consultation on preparing a long-term master plan that local communities wanted clarity on our development plans and solutions to some of the issues they face living close to a busy international airport.
“By bringing forward this planning application in tandem with our emerging thinking on the master plan, we will set out how phased growth can be achieved through the 2020s as part of an exciting longer-term vision.”
Aerial view of Bristol Airport
‘Towards 2050’ includes a charter for future growth in five key areas: aviation, economic impact, green belt, sustainable growth and surface access.
A “significant upgrade” of the A38 could be on the cards as part of the future plans, although this is likely to require Government funding and so “could see implementation take some time”.
Simon Earles, planning and sustainability director at Bristol Airport, said: “These proposals will ensure Bristol Airport continues to provide the connectivity our region needs to be successful, while offering local residents and stakeholders greater clarity about the phasing of future development.
“We welcome feedback on these proposals as we work towards submitting a planning application to North Somerset Council this autumn.”
Bristol Airport is the UK’s ninth busiest airport, and the fifth busiest outside London. Planning permission is already in place for facilities to handle up to 10 million passengers per year, and £160 million has been invested in infrastructure improvements since 2010.
The current consultation closes at midnight on Friday, July 6 2018. Visit www.bristolairportfuture.com/have-your-say/ to submit your views on the latest plans and for details of consultation events.
Read more: Bristol Airport plans to meet demands of 20 million passengers a year
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
