NORTH Somerset Council has announced an extension to the statutory period for determining the planning application to expand Bristol Airport.
The public now has until December 31 to enter their comments to the application which seeks to increase the capacity of the airport to cater for 3 million more passengers each year.
The application to expand the airport, including extending the runway to erect new landing approach lights on Felton Common.
In September members from Save Felton Common campaign group attended a No Airport Expansion Group Demonstration at Parliament made up of anti-airport growth protesters from around the UK.
The application has attracted more than 7000 public comments with more than 5,000 rejecting the expansion plans, according to the campaign group.
A spokesperson for North Somerset Council said: “As part of the ongoing assessment of Bristol Airport's planning application and the review of the significant number of consultation responses received, the Council requires more time to determine the application.
“As such, an extension to the statutory period for determining the application has been agreed between the Council and the applicant until 31 December 2026.
“The Planning Service will continue to review all consultation responses and relevant information as part of its assessment.
“This includes consideration of the proposed landing lights at Felton Common and the consultation responses received in relation to that element of the application.
"As part of the ongoing assessment process, the Council may request additional information from Bristol Airport where required. Any updates to the application and further developments in the process will be published on the Council's Bristol Airport webpage as they become available.”
In a statement, Bristol Airport added: “Our detailed planning application submitted is necessarily complex and we are comfortable that North Somerset Council continues to review the material and consultation responses which have been submitted.”