After 19 hours of deliberations, plans to expand the runway at Southampton Airport have been given the green light.
Twenty-two councillors voted in favour of the proposals to expand the runway by 164m.
Thirteen councillors voted against the plans and one abstained.
19 hours debating the proposals
It comes as all councillors at Eastleigh Borough Council spent 19 hours debating the proposals and listening to both sides of the argument.
Over the past two days hundreds of people watched the online debate over the plans that have literally divided public opinion.
For and against
On the one hand, campaigners and some residents called for the plans to be refused on the grounds of climate change, noise and pollution.
On the other hand, residents and the local business community asked for the plans to be approved saying the move would boost the local economy and create new jobs.
Several residents and councillors raised concerns over the impact the runway extension would have on noise and climate change.
Officers: “Moderate adverse impact”
It comes as it was previously revealed that the number of people affected by noise would go from 11,450 in 2020 to 46,050 in 2033, if the expansion went ahead.
But officers said the mitigation measures proposed – including insulation and a cap on vehicles to restrict passengers to 3m per annum – would result in a “moderate adverse impact”.
In the 19-hour long debate councillors were also told that the expansion would create more than 1,000 jobs, boost the local economy and result in a £15m investment.
Over 200 spoke
More than 200 people had registered to speak at the meeting and made their point perfectly clear.
Southampton Airport bosses said they would have to face difficult decisions if the plans were going to be rejected.
Szalay: Runway extension secures our future
Steve Szalay, operations director at the airport, said,
“It’s a very divisive issue. This is our plan to adapt, to make sure we become a viable business again. We cannot sustain loss of £8m a year. There’s no maths that suggest the airport will be ok. There’s nobody here denying a climate emergency.
“With a sound economy we can find a technological solution which would decarbonise the country. Back the airport, back the development of green technology. You tonight hold the keys to thousands of jobs.
“A vote for the runway extension secures our future, it secures current jobs, it creates more jobs.”
A lifeline for the Channel Islands
During the debate, councillors were also told that the airport is a lifeline for residents in the Channel Islands.
It was just over 2.15am of 10th April when 22 councillors voted in favour of the plans, 13 against and one abstained.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is part of. Read here to find about more about how that scheme works on the Island. Some alterations and additions may have been made by News OnTheWight. Ed
