Helen Godwin, the West of England Metro Mayor, has recently clarified her stance on the contentious proposal to expand Bristol Airport, a move that could significantly influence the airport’s future. The expansion plans aim to increase annual passenger capacity to 15 million, including a longer runway and the introduction of flights to destinations in America and the Middle East. This proposal follows the airport’s victory in a 2022 High Court ruling that allowed expansion to 12 million passengers per year, overturning opposition from campaigners.
Last week, Bristol City Council officially opposed the expansion, yet the ultimate planning permission rests with North Somerset Council. Previously, in 2020, North Somerset councillors declined permission for the airport’s expansion to 12 million passengers. However, this decision was reversed after a challenging planning inquiry. While North Somerset Council is currently not part of the West of England Combined Authority (WECA), it has expressed interest in joining—a factor that could increase Mayor Godwin’s influence over airport planning decisions.
The UK government is also moving to grant metro mayors enhanced powers under the forthcoming Devolution Bill, including the ability to call in or direct refusals of major planning applications with strategic importance. In light of this, Mayor Godwin emphasized the need for community voices in any planning processes, especially given the recent Planning Inspectorate decision.
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In response to concerns from Bristol residents about her potential support for the new expansion, Godwin stated: “The airport has yet to meet its current passenger cap or submit a new application. I hope North Somerset will join our regional authority soon so we can collaborate more closely. It’s vital that local voices are heard throughout this process.”
She acknowledged Bristol Airport’s contribution to local employment and economic growth while also recognizing the urgent climate crisis. “We all want to help our planet, and green innovation in aerospace is part of that. We also must improve public transport to and from the airport, and recent government funding offers hope in this area,” Godwin added.
When questioned about prioritizing environmental protection over economic growth, Godwin responded: “I aim for the West to lead in both economic growth and environmental progress—these goals can and must coexist.” She pledged to carefully evaluate all planning applications and base decisions on detailed evidence as they arise.
Planning decisions, ultimately, are made by local councillors based on non-political planning guidelines, though these choices can be appealed if they deviate from policy. A key dispute in the previous expansion centered on the environmental impact assessment, where the airport’s legal team successfully argued that emissions from flights should not be a determining factor, focusing instead on airport buildings and ground vehicle impacts.
Mayor Godwin’s evolving role and the new powers proposed for metro mayors suggest Bristol Airport’s expansion will remain a closely watched issue, balancing local economic ambitions with environmental concerns.