Bristol Airport has cleared a legal hurdle in the way of its proposed multi-million-pound expansion.
The airport had received planning permission for the major expansion following a lengthy legal battle, but a group called Bristol Airport Action Network appealed against the decision.
The airport heard today (May 18) that the appeal had been "refused on all grounds". A ruling found that there was not "real prospect of success" and no other compelling reason for the Court of Appeal to entertain an appeal.
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Bristol Airport’s plans to expand its maximum capacity from 10m to 12m passengers a year was previously refused planning permission by North Somerset Council in January 2020.
Bristol Airport appealed to the Planning Inspectorate in February 2022 and was successful in overturning this decision. Then in January 2023 Bristol Airport Action Group's attempt to have the Planning Inspectorate’s decision overturned was rejected by the high court.
The court's refusal of the BAAG's appeal has been welcomed by the airport.
In a statement, Bristol Airport said: “Bristol Airport welcomes the Court’s decision to uphold the planning permission to increase Bristol Airport’s capacity from 10m to 12m passengers per annum providing enhanced customer facilities for the region’s gateway for air travel.
"The decision is excellent news for our region’s economy, allowing us to create thousands of new jobs in the years ahead and open-up new direct links, and support inbound tourism. We will now take forward our multi-million-pound plans for net zero operations by 2030 and look forward to working with stakeholders and the community to deliver responsible growth.”
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