Bristol airport has been given the green light to increase its annual capacity from 10 million to 12 million passengers after a High Court ruling.
Campaigners from the Bristol Airport Action Network (BAAN) had mounted the legal challenge, arguing that planning inspectors should not ignore the impact that expansion would have on climate change.
North Somerset Council had rejected the expansion in 2020 on environmental grounds, but was later overruled by the government’s Planning Inspectorate.
The airport plans major investments in its terminal building, parking facilities and public transport links.
More: Jet2 adds new routes with Bristol airport expansion
Ryanair announces biggest-ever Bristol schedule for summer 2023
Protest as Bristol airport expansion appeal opens
Dave Lees, Bristol airport chief executive, welcomed the High Court judge’s decision to dismiss the claim against expansion.
“The decision is excellent news for our region’s economy, allowing us to create up to 5,000 new jobs, deliver more international destinations for the southwest and south Wales, and invest hundreds of millions of pounds improving the customer experience,” he said.
“We will do this while working towards our ambitious target of net zero carbon operations by 2030.”
The airport said the expanded capacity will add 800 jobs at the airport and up to a further 5,000 regionally, adding an estimated £430 million to the southwest’s economy.
Stephen Clarke, a campaigner from BAAN, told the BBC: “This is not going to be the end, we are hoping and planning to appeal this decision because it simply cannot be allowed to stand.”
Picture by ClaudioDivizia/Shutterstock.com