Councillors have voted to renew the council’s opposition to Bristol Airport’s expansion plans.

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 one thousand more night flights.

By agreeing this updated position, councillors at Bath & North East Somerset council intend that Bath & North East Somerset (B&NES) council should object to any future planning application, as the council will be a statutory consultee.

In addition, B&NES council will call on the government to reconsider their position on airport expansion in line with scientific advice.

Councillor Sarah Warren, cabinet member for climate emergency and sustainable travel, 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 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.”

A spokesperson for Bristol Airport said: “The airport is critical to our region’s economy and Bath’s tourism sector, welcoming hundreds of thousands of inbound visitors each year. We are our area’s largest private sector employer, providing over 5000 jobs, with 70 percent of employees living within 20 miles.

“We recently completed the consultation on our draft master plan to 2040 and are busy analysing the helpful feedback we’ve received. A planning application to expand our capacity to 15 million passengers a year will be made later this year.

“We expect our proposals to deliver 1000 additional on-site jobs and support many more in our region, boost economic growth, and allow us to connect to new destinations, including the Middle East and North America.

“We hope to be able to work with Bath and North East Somerset Council so that we maximise the economic benefits for our area.”

The Liberal Democrat motion to the full council on opposing Bristol Airport expansion was adopted by 44 votes in favour to 0 against, with 2 abstentions.

This is a refreshed position from B&NES councillors, who have passed previous motions in 2019 and 2022.