Agenda item

The Panel will receive a presentation on this item from Simon Earles, Planning and Sustainability Director of Bristol Airport.

Simon Earles, Planning and Sustainability Director and James Gore, Head of Government and Stakeholder Relations gave a presentation to the Panel on this item. A copy of the presentation can be found on the Panel’s Minute Book and online as an appendix to these minutes, a summary is set out below.

Preparing our new Master Plan

·  2003 ‘Future of Air Transport’ White Paper required airports to produce Master Plans.

·  First Master Plan published in 2006, including detailed development proposals to accommodate growth to 2015, with indicative plans showing how the airport might expand to handle 12.5 million passengers by 2030.

·  Planning permission granted in 2011 for development of facilities to handle 10 million passengers per annum (mppa). Major elements of this development are nearing completion and passenger numbers have passed 8mppa.

·  Content should include infrastructure proposals; safeguarding and land/property take; impact on people and the natural environment; and proposals to minimise and mitigate impacts.

·  This consultation will seek feedback on our priorities and initial concepts.  Feedback will help shape our Draft Master Plan.

Celebrating 60 years

1957 - Bristol Airport opens on the site of a former WWII experimental fighter station called RAF Lulsgate Bottom.

1960s/70s - The world’s first supersonic jet, Concorde, was developed at Filton and first flew from there on April 9 1969.

2000 - New terminal opens and passenger numbers hit two million a year.

2003-2006 - Government White Paper on the future of air transport prompts first Bristol Airport Master plan.

2016 - Secretary of State for Transport, Chris Grayling MP, opens a second major terminal extension.

2017 - Passenger numbers reach eight million a year.

Estimated present and future economic impact of Bristol Airport

2017 – 8 million passengers / £1.3bn+ generated in the South West & South Wales / 15,000+ regional jobs.

2030s – 15 million passengers / £2.9bn+ generated in the South West & South Wales / 21,000+ regional jobs.

2040s - 20 million passengers / £3.9bn+ generated in the South West & South Wales / 25,000+ regional jobs.

Our five pillars

A world leading regional airport

Delivering easy and convenient access, excellent on-time performance, friendly and efficient customer service, a great range of destinations, state-of-the-art facilities and a distinctive sense of place that reflects the unique part of the world we serve.

Employment and supporting economic growth

Creating employment and supporting economic growth by connecting the South West of England and South Wales to new markets, talent and tourists.

At the heart of an integrated transport network

Making Bristol Airport an integrated transport hub by bringing together different modes of transport, not just for our passengers and staff, but also for people travelling within, to and through the region.

Sustainable approach

Seeking to reduce and mitigate our effect on communities and the environment, locally and globally, as well as finding opportunities to deliver enhancements.

Deliverability

Developing proposals which are flexible enough to be delivered in phases to meet demand, and which represent value for money for passengers, airlines and other stakeholders.

Design Considerations

Three example scenarios were shown to the Panel.

Next steps

•  Analyse feedback from initial consultation.

•  Prepare Draft Master Plan for consultation in spring.

•  Publish final Master Plan next winter.

•  Application for planning and other consents.

Councillor Barry Macrae said that he welcomed the positive developments and felt there were issues to address through public sector involvement through WECA. He asked how may direct jobs were linked to the airport.

James Gore replied that it was just under 3,500.

Simon Earles added that it was plain to see that surface access needs improvement and that partnerships were being developed to identify transport schemes. He said that he was confident that WECA recognises the benefits of development at the airport. He said that he was delighted with the co-operation with B&NES so far.

Councillor Colin Blackburn asked how many of the 8 million passengers would be deemed frequent flyers.

James Gore replied that there were a high proportion of frequent flyers, including 16% being business passengers. He added that a survey of business passengers found that 24% were flying 20 or more times a year from Bristol Airport.

Councillor Rob Appleyard commented that with the projected passenger increase that access to the airport was a key issue.

Simon Earles replied that a Surface Access Strategy would be developed. He said that this would be bus and coach based initially, but options would include heavy rail, underground and metro bus. He added that 12 new double decker buses would soon be available to use on current routes and that the airport were investing £0.5m into a regional transport study.

Councillor Liz Richardson asked from what radius employees at the airport came from.

James Gore gave the Panel the following breakdown of employees from the local area:

10% - Bath and North East Somerset  

22% - Bristol

39% - North Somerset  

11% - Somerset  

10% - South Gloucestershire  

5% - South Wales

3% - Other 

Councillor Liz Richardson asked if there were plans to increase the size of the runway.

Simon Earles replied that this was not in their current plans.

Councillor Patrick Anketell-Jones commented that he was delighted to see the airport was upping their game in terms of sustainability. He asked if the number of night flights over Bath would be addressed in the Master Plan.

Simon Earles replied that restrictions on night movements do exist and that he understood that it was an issue. He added that it would be addressed within the Master Plan.

The Chairman thanked Simon and James for their attendance and presentation to the Panel and invited them to return at a future stage of the Master Plan process.