AN MP has launched a petition after plans to extend Southampton Airport's runway were refused. 

On Friday, Eastleigh Local Area Committee voted against granting planning permission for an extension of the runway at Southampton Airport. 

Because the application is a borough wide issue, it is now set to be considered at a full council meeting of Eastleigh Borough Council on April 8. 

Now though, Paul Holmes, MP for Eastleigh, has launched a petition to "Save Southampton Airport."

The petition has so far attracted over 1,300 signatures in less than 24 hours, but leader of the council, Cllr Keith House said: "Petitions have no impact on planning decisions as these applications are decided on planning law and rules."

Despite this, the MP said: "I believe the committee made the wrong decision on Friday when they rejected the runway extension.

"The future of our airport and many hundreds of jobs hang in the balance as a result.

"60% of residents supported the application in the public consultation and the runway extension was also recommend for approval by the Council’s own planning officers after considering all the evidence.

"That’s why I have launched this petition to #SaveSouthamptonAirport and show councillors how much support there is for these plans."

The MP is now calling on the council to listen to himself and the people who have signed the petition and grant permission for the runway extension on April 8.

The aim of the petition is said to be to shows councillors the level of public support that the airport's runway extension has. 

But Cllr House added: "Eastleigh Borough residents with opinions on the future of the airport should contact their local councillors, as it is their councillors that will make this decision.”

The petition went live at the weekend and Paul Holmes says he is also set to speak at the full council meeting on April 8.