MORE than 250 people converged on Felton Common in April to protest Bristol Airport's proposal to locate landing lights on the Common as part of a planned expansion of the airport.

A planning application has now been submitted to North Somerset Council by Bristol Airport for the plans which will increase the capacity of the airport to cater for up to 15-million passengers per year and 99,931 air transport movements over a 12-month period, and will increase the number of night flights permitted.

The application to expand the airport including extending the runway to accommodate the additional three-million passengers also includes new landing approach lights to be erected on Felton Common.

During Sunday’s protest, activists took the dimensions and measurements in the Airport’s consultation documents to construct a mock-up of how invasive the landing lights across the Common would be if the expansion was agreed. They also showed the height of the furthest set of lights, which would be 8.5 metres tall.

In a community wide outpouring of opposition, Felton Village Hall was used for banner-making sessions, offering refreshments for locals alongside a display of historic newspaper articles about previous attempts to build on the Common; land that is designated for the people.

Local photographer, Jo Shepherd, displayed a range of photographs from her project ‘Thresholds’ that focuses on the landscape around Bristol Airport and its impact on the community.

A centuries-old protest song, called The Goose and the Common was sung by those gathered on the Common as part of a video project led by local singer/songwriter Ted Waters.

Chair of Save Felton Common (SFC) Debbie Johnson, said: “What a brilliant day! With the sun shining, hundreds of people came to see a mock-up of the landing lights Bristol Airport are proposing to put on Felton Common. 

“People were shocked to see the size, height and how far the lights and associated fencing stretched onto the Common, turning the landscape from a rural to an industrial space.”

In the groups view, they say the application is “likely to include the complicated and highly controversial land grab of Felton Common, which is not a decision within the remit of North Somerset Council but is owned by Winford Parish Council”.

Last November, the parish council issued a statement about the plans saying: “the proposal, along with an extension of the runway towards Felton Common, represents a total lack of understanding by the Airport as to the significance of Felton Common for our local community.”

Since publishing their disappointment and opposition to the proposal, they added in a further statement this week to the Gazette that the parish council is currently seeking legal advice.

A spokesperson for Winford Parish Council, Trustees for the Common, said: “Planning law allows applications to be submitted on land/properties that are not owned by the applicant.

“We are yet to receive any formal correspondence from the Airport about how they intend to take ownership of the land.”

In a statement a Bristol Airport spokesperson responded to say: “We recognise that Felton Common is owned and managed on behalf of the community by Winford Parish Council. A number of people have rights as ‘commoners’ to graze livestock on the Common and we appreciate the Common is also well used for recreation.

“Because the nature of the works proposed does not meet the legal test for commons act consent to be granted, we would need to de-register the land required and provide equivalent replacement land. There would no longer be a right to roam on the de-registered land, but this right would be available on the replacement land provided.

“We understand how important the open space is to local people, which is why we consulted with those with rights on the Common, users of the Common and local residents last year. 
 


“The proposal would not affect any bridleways or public rights of way, with 99.87 percent of the common remaining accessible. Additionally, replacement land would be provided so there would be no overall loss of open space.  
 


“A full lighting and impact assessment on the common and nearby properties has been carried out and forms part of our planning application. 
 


“As part of our wider proposal, measures include off site planting, community resources to help maintain open spaces within the local area and a proposal for a dedicated community fund for our nearest communities which would see investment in community facilities and support local projects.”

The planning application has been validated by North Somerset Council and is now out to public consultation until June 28.

It can viewed via the North Somerset Council website, using the reference number 26/P/0686/OU2 or a hard copy is available at the Town Hall, Walliscote Grove Road, Weston-super-Mare during normal office hours, until the application is finally determined.