BOSSES at Bristol International Airport will be asked to visit Cheddar to explain what benefits their planned expansion will bring to the village. Parish councillors said at a meeting last week that although they were concerned about the possible increase

BOSSES at Bristol International Airport will be asked to visit Cheddar to explain what benefits their planned expansion will bring to the village.Parish councillors said at a meeting last week that although they were concerned about the possible increase in planes over the Cheddar skies, they were also keen to find out about the economical benefits of the proposals.The plans include doubling the size of the existing terminal, building more than 8,000 car parking spaces and massively increasing the number of passengers at the airport near Wrington.The parish council also decided to pay £50 to join pressure group the Parish Council Airport Association (PCAA), which monitors the site, paying particular attention to problems such as noise, traffic and pollution.But councillors agreed it would be sensible to ask a representative to come to a public meeting to explain the possible advantages the expansion could bring, such as increased tourism to the area.Villagers in the Cheddar area have already shown hope that the expansion could aid the area. Only a few months ago Axbridge Chamber of Commerce recruited the airport as a member so that it could help advertise the town to incoming tourists.Speaking at Tuesday's council meeting, Councillor Mary Buxton said: "In terms of noise and planes this area is not as affected as other parishes in the PCAA."Councillor Ceri Davies said: "We should hear the other side of the argument as well and ask someone from the airport what the plans are likely to do for the economy of Cheddar.