'A NUMBER of requests' have been received by the government to 'call-in' recently approved plans for the runway expansion at Southampton Airport.

Earlier today, campaign group AXO Southampton said they had written to the Secretary of State for Communities Robert Jenrick asking for the planning application to extend the runway by 164m to be looked at again.

If their request is approved, this could lead to a public inquiry, with the final decision expected to be made by  the Secretary of State himself.

But now the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has told the Echo that it has received many requests for the plans to be 'called-in'.

A spokesperson said: "The department has received a number of requests to call in this planning application which will be considered in the usual way.

"If called in, the application would be considered at a public inquiry. If not called in, it would be returned to the council to decide.

"Because of the quasi-judicial nature of the planning process it would be inappropriate to comment further."

Steve Szalay, operations director at Southampton Airport, said: “After a fair and thorough process, where four rounds of public consultation led to a 60% majority of local and regional support for the airport, coupled with a total of 33 hours of committee time which allowed residents and business communities the opportunity to have their voice heard at both the ELAC and the Full Council, we disagree with the request to call this in for Ministerial scrutiny. The vast majority of Eastleigh councillors supported the application following the recommendation of their planning team.  This process involved extensive debate and questioning. There is no doubt the process has been fair, rigorous, robust and legally sound.  We are now frustrated that our objectors are delaying the opportunity for the airport to deliver over 250 jobs as part of the construction phase alone. We are resolutely committed to these runway extension plans and the 2500 jobs this protects and enables.”

According to government guidelines: "The Secretary of State will, in general, only consider the use of his call-in powers if planning issues of more than local importance are involved."

The government said such cases may include, for example, those which in the Secretary of State's opinion:

  • may conflict with national policies on important matters;
  • may have significant long-term impact on economic growth and meeting housing needs across a wider area than a single local authority;
  • could have significant effects beyond their immediate locality;
  • give rise to substantial cross-boundary or national controversy;
  • raise significant architectural and urban design issues;
  • or may involve the interests of national security or of foreign Governments.

"However, each case will continue to be considered on its individual merits," according to the guideline.