Bristol Airport’s proposal to expand its runway and increase passenger capacity has sparked “raw anger” among local residents and councillors, as it threatens to encroach upon Felton Common, a rare and cherished nature reserve. The airport aims to grow from handling 12 million passengers annually to 15 million, enabling flights to America by accommodating larger planes. However, this expansion requires extending runway lighting across the A38 and into Felton Common, an area that community members fiercely want to protect.
Debbie Johnson, chair of the newly established Save Felton Common group, addressed North Somerset Council with strong opposition: “They seem to think they can effectively steal this land to further their own commercial gain without caring at all about the land or the people who value it — and people do care deeply.” Residents are not just from nearby areas, but also from wider North Somerset locations including Backwell, Yatton, Congresbury, and Bristol.
Felton Common holds significant historical and ecological value. It is registered as a nature conservation site containing neolithic and bronze age barrows and is home to a healthy population of skylarks, a species listed as endangered in the UK. Natural England has described it as “unique and irreplaceable.” Johnson highlighted the importance of these skylarks, saying their “joyous, life-affirming song” enriches the experience of everyone who visits.
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The airport’s plan includes installing runway lighting columns measuring between 1.25 and 8.5 metres tall to maintain level lighting across the sloping common. These would be surrounded by a three-metre-high fence, significantly altering the landscape. Historically, common land like Felton Common was shared pasture for locals, though much has been lost to private ownership over centuries. Today, Felton Common functions as a nature reserve owned by Winford Parish Council.
Johnson emphasized the need for legal expertise in commons law to combat the airport’s expansion plans. “Bristol Airport has seriously underestimated the raw anger this proposal has ignited. The airport is big enough already, and Felton Common belongs to the people.”
She also invited councillors to join a guided walk of Felton Common in May to witness the site’s value firsthand.
Bristol Airport responded by acknowledging that only small sections of the common would be affected by lighting installations but affirmed their awareness of the space’s importance to locals. They stated that consultations with those holding rights to the common, regular users, and local residents took place last year. The airport views the runway improvements as essential for future growth, connecting the region to key destinations such as America and the Middle East—routes highly desired by travelers and beneficial for business and tourism. Bristol Airport assured that a full environmental assessment will accompany its forthcoming planning application.
It is worth noting that a previous expansion plan to increase capacity to 12 million passengers was initially rejected by North Somerset Council and only succeeded after a public inquiry and legal challenges by campaigners.