High Court ruling backs Southampton Airport runway extension

A High Court decision has confirmed that Eastleigh Borough Council's granting of a runway extension at Southampton Airport was in line with planning laws. The upgrade works, described as vital by Airport management, can now get underway.

The news has been welcomed by several local business organisations and the council.

The Judicial Review Renewal Hearing at the High Court and appeal had been bought by the Group Opposed to the Expansion of Southampton Airport) Ltd (GOESA).

Judge Holgate had found in favour of the plans. Chief among his summation were. "Holgate J found that there was nothing unlawful in the “inevitably broad” judgement reached by the Council on the significance of greenhouse gas emissions."

Secondly his ruling stated: "Holgate J found that Councillors had been entitled to take into account the risk of closure were the application to be refused."

The full report by Judge Holgate can be read here.

A spokesperson for Southampton Airport described the ruling as an #exciting step, adding: “Southampton Airport welcomes the Court’s decision, which finds that Eastleigh Borough Council’s approval of our crucial plans to extend the northern end of our runway by 164m was lawful. 

“The Court’s judgment is an exciting step forward for Southampton Airport, as it will allow us to progress our much-needed runway plans, provide certainty to our staff, and play a full part in the emerging Solent Freeport. 

“The extension will secure the airport’s long-term viability and deliver significant economic benefits to the region, not least the creation of much-needed new jobs, including employment opportunities during the construction phase. 

“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.

"We want to work with residents and stakeholders to manage and mitigate these concerns going forward.”

Peter Taylor of the Hampshire Chamber of Commerce also welcomed the ruling adding: "The outcome of the judicial review hearing to enhance Southampton airport’s ability to play a role in the continued development of the central south region."

Eastleigh Borough Council Leader, Keith House, said of the judgement: “This is good news and supports the High Court’s previous decision in October 2021 to reject a Judicial Review of the decision made by the Council to permit an extension to the runway.

"This now means that the airport can move forward with its plans, save the airport for the future, generate jobs for our local economy and secure tough controls on overall passenger numbers to protect our environment”.

Robin Henderson, a director at Savills, the planning consultant for Southampton Airport, said: “The planning application contained a large amount of detailed technical information.

“We were confident that the council had properly assessed and understood the planning application when it took the decision to grant permission.

“We are pleased that this has been confirmed by the decision of the High Court."

Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited Southampton Airport earlier this month where he also outlined his support for the campaign to extend the runway by 164 meters.

The Prime Minister stated that the decision to grant a runway extension despite objections, was: "vital for jobs and growth."

The PM was accompanied to the Airport by local MP, Paul Holmes.

Although the PM did not speak to local media, he did issue a statement in which he stated his: "strong support the plans for the improvements of the airport by 2023, the extension will enable fewer yet larger planes to arrive. Bringing in more people on fewer flights. So from an environmental perspective, it's totally defensible. 

"But from a business perspective from a jobs and growth perspective, I think it's the right thing for this part of the world. 

"We need more connectivity between our regions, it's absolutely vital.

"The levelling-up agenda means that people need to be able to move fast from one regional hub to another, not just to the centre."

What exactly are the issues? The Business Magazine examines…

The plan
To extend the Southampton Airport runway 164m to the north, install additional car parking provision all within the existing perimeter of the airport.

What was debated in court?
Council’s decision, taken in June 2021, to grant planning permission for the extension was objected to by a resident’s group.

The Group Opposed to the Expansion of Southampton Airport (GOESA) state planning permission should not have been granted as the application was to be subject to an inquiry. Lawyers acting on behalf of GOESA described the Councils procedures as “fundamentally flawed.”

David Wolfe QC said objectors had a “legitimate expectation” that no vote would be taken until the government decided if a public inquiry should be held into the airport expansion.
As yet no such inquiry has been established.

John Lauwerys, of GOESA – Group opposed to expansion of Southampton Airport – said: "We believe we have a very strong case, the decision was flawed both in the way it was taken and the reasons for doing so."

Why does the airport require an extension
The extension will make the airport suitable for a wider range of air travel providers. Airport revenues were detrimentally affected when one of their biggest carriers FlyBe ceased operating as a result of the pandemic.

According to a spokesperson for Southampton Airport: “The extension is absolutely critical to our viability as a regional airport.

“Approval of our runway extension unlocks a £15m investment into the airport. We estimate that the runway extension will generate an additional 2.8% of economic growth in the Solent LEP area by 2027.”

What is behind the opposition?
Under debate in the High Court were matters that included the age and relevance of planning policies, council procedures used in planning approval, greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.

Is the plan supported?
The plans initially received planning approval from Eastleigh Council, its public consultation process recorded 60.1% of respondents supported the expansion plans.

Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, Solent Local Enterprise Partnership, Business South, and the Eastleigh Business Improvement District (BID) have also expressed their support.

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