CAMPAIGNERS have voiced their concerns over the potential loss of more than 80 acres of green belt land could be lost to Bristol Airport expansion plans.
Bristol Tree Forum (BTF) is a volunteer group that promotes community engagement in urban tree management and works to increase tree canopy cover across the city.
Concerns has been raised as Bristol Airport launches a consultation on the expansion plans, with BTF expressing concern that biodiversity could be negatively impacted in the area.
In March 2023, Bristol Airport was granted permission to expand its capacity to 12million passengers annually, but it now want to expand further to accommodate 15 million.
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Expansion plans have been met with opposition by environmental groups who wish to protect the green belt in the areas surrounding the airport, with a four-year legal battle having ensued over the prior expansion plans.
BTF said in a press statement: “This plan would result in the disappearance of 33 hectares of green belt, as tarmac is laid for yet more car parks, an excellent source of revenue for airports. Has the airport considered increasing parking capacity by making its existing car parks multi-story?”
“These new parking areas are full of habitats vital for nature - broad-leaved woodland and scattered trees, species-rich native hedgerows and grasslands, tall vegetation, scrub habitats, standing open water and ponds.”
Discussing the expansion’s impact on the landscape, Bristol Airport says on its website: “The proposals will require the development of land that is currently open fields to the north of the airfield and west of the terminal. Additional fields to the south of the airfield are proposed to be developed for car parking.”
Bristol Airport Action Network (BAAN) members recently spoke out against the latest plan, claiming the proposals are premature because the impact of the latest expansion has not been measured.
A Bristol Airport spokesperson said in response: “The proposals set out in our draft Master Plan focus our future development within the small area of the airport which is outside of the green =belt. However, space requirements mean that we are proposing to build some infrastructure within the green belt.
“We will include a detailed ecology assessment with our future planning application and will address any adverse impacts from our proposals. We have a proud record of delivering ecological enhancements and are committed to meeting the requirement to deliver a 10 per cent biodiversity net gain, the details of which will be submitted with our application.”