News / Bristol airport
Protesters oppose ‘plane stupid’ plans for airport expansion
Dressed in high vis jackets and helmets, and armed with paddles, a few men attempted to use coordinated body movements to mimic the landing of flights and later spell out the words ‘climate’ and ’emergency’.
These were the scenes outside City Hall on Tuesday evening, where dozens had gathered for a demonstration against the proposed expansion of Bristol Airport.
Spearheaded by Bristol Airport Action Network alongside other local groups, the protest was held as a show of support for a motion against the airport’s expansion, set to be discussed at a full council meeting on the same evening.
Men in high vis jackets, were seen holding paddles and using coordinated body movements to convey impactful messages – photo: Rob Browne
“We never used to have as many flights over our house”, said Jo Hook, a resident who lives near the Bristol Airport.
“But now in the morning, at night and late in the evening, you get woken up from your sleep, and that’s just not okay. It’s really not okay.”
The motion submitted by Green councillor, Izzy Russell, opposes a planning application intended to be submitted for the expansion of Bristol Airport that could increase its capacity from the current 10.5m passengers to 15m passengers every year.
According to the motion, of the more than 11,000 people consulted formally about the expansion, 84% have opposed it, emphasising that “air transport is an inefficient and capital-intensive method of employment creation”.
Green councillor, Izzy Russell believes the claim that an expansion of the Bristol Airport will bring money to the city is “false” – photo: Karen Johnson
Russell told Bristol24/7 that, knowing all of the councillors across Bristol had come together to discuss this issue, she was hopeful that people would agree this was a “bad idea and nobody needs this”.
She continued: “Five years ago, we had a very similar motion come to the council and all of Labour voted against it.
“All of the Greens voted against it too. So I’m hoping that will happen again. We’ve also got the WECA mayor, Helen Godwin, who has previously voted against it, and hopefully she will still have the same views.”
Russell added that beyond the climate emergency, the proposed expansion would also have a series of local impacts.
“It is interrupting people’s sleep who live near the airport. They are planning on building on the Green Belt, which is supposed to be protected land.
“They’re going to be destroying the homes of the wildlife, which was their first. It does seem like a money-making exercise, rather than something that’s been considered that they’re doing for the benefit of the people.”
Under Bristol Airport’s ‘Adopted 2040 Masterplan’, authorities intend to make alterations to its terminal, runway, airfield, apron and aircraft stands, taxiways, and associated ancillary buildings.
Residents and BAAN have responded to this plan with an ‘Alternative Masterplan’ that purposefully takes into consideration factors like noise and air pollution, congestion and environmental impact.
In 2023, the airport was granted permission by the High Court to expand to 12m passengers annually – a decision that is yet to be implemented.
However according to the masterplan, Bristol Airport intends to submit plans for a further expansion of 3m passengers, which they hope to implement by 2040.
View this post on Instagram
Main photo: Rob Browne
Read next:
Our newsletters emailed directly to you
