SOUTHAMPTON Airport bosses have put forward their support for plans to expand the airport's runway as the debate over the proposals resumed.

After almost 11 hours of deliberation on Thursday, the full council meeting at Eastleigh Borough Council resumed today at 6pm.

As reported, councillors will have to decide whether to approve or reject plans to expand the runway at Southampton Airport by 164m.

On Thursday councillors listened to comments from those in favour of the expansion and from those against it.

As the meeting resumed today, Southampton Airport bosses had the opportunity to speak and present the plans.

They told councillors the runway expansion would create jobs and support the local economy.

Gavin Hall, a planning consultant for the airport, said: "By refusing this application you will lose jobs and be saying no to jobs creation. Southampton International Airport is paving the way in sustainable aviation. Your decision must be based on the facts in front of you."

He added: "Refusing this application will not lead to carbon savings, rather you'll be displacing a significant part of that elsewhere. The cost of this displacement would be lost opportunity to invest in the airport, Eastleigh and the wider area. Jobs being lost."

It comes as concerns were raised over the impact the expansion would have on climate change, pollution and noise.

Airport bosses said mitigation measures would be in place and would include a community fund, a noise insulation policy and financial contribution towards noise insulation.

Derek Provan, CEO of AGS Airports, said without the expansion the airport would not break even until 2037.

He added: "Should you refuse this application tonight as with any loss making business I would have some very difficult decision to make. The decision you make tonight is a difference between a viable business and a non-viable business."

Talking to councillors Steve Szalay, operations director at Southampton Airport, said: "There's no easy decision to be made here. It's a very divisive issue. This is our plan to adapt, to make sure we become a viable business again. There's nobody here denying a climate emergency. With a sound economy we can find a technological solution which would decarbonise the country.This could be historic moment for the town, for the borough. 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."

The meeting continues.