CONTROVERSIAL plans to extend an airport runway will go ahead following a failed attempt to appeal a court’s decision.

The Court of Appeal has today upheld Eastleigh Borough Council’s decision to extend Southampton Airport’s runway by 164m.

The scheme was approved in April this year but was met with backlash by opposed campaigners from GOESA Ltd.

Daily Echo: Southampton Airport runway extension will go ahead after a failed attempt to appeal a court's decisionSouthampton Airport runway extension will go ahead after a failed attempt to appeal a court's decision (Image: Newsquest)

Many described the result as a “disappointing outcome” and called for a judicial review.

After a High Court judged ruled in favour of the expansion in May, campaigners took their fight to the Court of Appeal.

However, their bid to stop the plans has been thrown out again.

READ MORE: Judge rules in airport's favour - but campaigners' fight might not be over yet

'A vital step'

The latest ruling has been welcomed by Southampton Airport.

A spokesperson said: “We would like to thank all those who have supported our runway plans over the last few years, particularly the residents and businesses who registered their support during the planning process.

“We appreciate, however, that some of our neighbours have concerns regarding noise and the environment.

“As an airport, we want to work with the community to manage and mitigate these concerns going forward.

“There can be no further challenge to the legality of the borough council’s decision on our runway extension – and Southampton Airport can begin to plan for the delivery of the scheme.

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“The runway extension is a vital step in securing the airport’s long-term viability; it will also deliver significant economic benefits to the region, not least the creation of much-needed new jobs, including employment opportunities during the construction phase.”

'A deeply disappointing outcome'

GOESA Ltd, which was set up by campaigners against the runway extension, argued that the council’s approval for the scheme was unlawful.

Following today's news, John Lauwerys from GOESA Ltd said: "It is a deeply disappointing outcome for the thousands of people who will be adversely affected by the increase in noise and disturbance from the larger noisier planes that Southampton Airport hopes to attract through its expansion plans.

"A proposed increase of 50 per cent to some three million, in the number of passengers flying from Southampton by 2034 is impossible to reconcile with the urgent need to tackle the climate change crisis."

Southampton Airport said the runway expansion would protect jobs and generate an extra £240m for the economy in the next 15 years.

In the coming weeks and months, the airport will keep residents and stakeholders up-to-date with details of likely construction timescales.

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