Airport decision delayed

NORTH Somerset councillors have delayed their decision over whether to support controversial plans to develop Bristol International Airport.At a full council meeting on Tuesday, Councillors Peter Kehoe and Isabel Cummings appealed to colleagues to delay a decision on whether to agree the plans so more information can be collected on pollution.During the meeting five members of the public stood up and spoke about their concerns over the airport's masterplan, which includes doubling the size of the existing terminal, building a 180-bedroom hotel, increasing car parking spaces from 9,000 to about 17,800 and increasing passengers from six to nine million.At the meeting Cllr Kehoe said: "The number of statements from the public shows the level of interest in this. Many residents enjoy using the airport. I am not anti-growth but my opinion is that the master plan raises more issues than answers."What I want to do is make sure that all 61 councillors are involved in the whole process. "I am recommending that this decision is deferred so that south area committee can consider it in view of uncertainties raised by the plan."The council has received more than 4,000 letters of objection to the plan and 100 in support.Farmer Robin Vowles, who lives one mile from the airport, said at the meeting: "My family has been farming in the area for more than 80 years."I spend all week outside and I can confirm that the noise from the airport is worse than ever. How much more pointless will this become?"This expansion is about pandering to the aviation authorities."No date has been set for when the master plan will next be discussed at a full council meeting but it was due to be brought before the council's planning and regulatory committee on Thursday.