Decision details

The West of England Joint Committee RESOLVED:

The Joint Committee recognises:  

- There is a climate and biodiversity emergency.

- The West of England has ambition net zero targets for 2030.   

- The proposed expansion of Bristol Airport is one of the biggest carbon decisions in the region for the coming decade.  

- The pandemic has significantly reduced air travel with a 75.6% drop in passenger numbers in 2020 and is expected to recover although to an unknown level.

- Bristol Airport’s role as an employer in the region and the need for a just transition to a greener economy that does not leave workers worse-off.  

- Bristol City Council and Bath and North East Somerset Council opposition to current airport expansion and North Somerset Council's decision to refuse planning permission to expand beyond 10 million passengers a year

- The importance of the wider aerospace centre of excellence at Filton and its major contribution to our economy, skills base and industrial heritage.

- Ongoing efforts being pioneered locally by industry to decarbonise aviation, including through the Jet Zero initiative.

Further recognises:

- The Combined Authority’s role as Transport Authority for its area to improve sustainable and decarbonised travel options to and from the Airport.

The Joint Committee resolves:  

- To oppose the latest plans to expand Bristol Airport.   

- Supporting North Somerset Council’s position in refusing Bristol Airport’s latest planning application which is currently the subject of an appeal inquiry and to oppose the additional expansion of Bristol Airport represented in that planning application.

- Opposing the carbon emissions associated with the additional expansion of Bristol Airport represented in their latest planning application.

- To request that West of England Chief Executives bring a report back to the October 2021 meeting setting out a range of proposals to support the decarbonising of aviation.