Residents urged to comment on airport master plan
Winchester City Council is urging its residents to comment on the Master Plan for Southampton Airport which was announced today and shows the anticipated growth of the Airport to 2030. This study is required under the Government's white paper covering all UK regional airports.
The airport is holding a 3-month consultation period and a series of open days until the end of October. Cllr Murray Macmillan, the Council's representative on the Airport Consultative Committee, and Cllr Jim Wagner, the Council's portfolio holder for environmental health, are encouraging people to make their views heard.
"As a city council we have no legislative powers over the operation of the airport, but we will continue to influence, as much as we can, the impact of the airport on our district," they said.
"We would encourage everyone to take this opportunity to comment on the master plan. The airport has a major influence in many ways on the lives of people within the City Council area and it is important to contribute to its future. There has to be a balance between the airport's value to the local economy, currently about £84m a year, and the number of jobs, against the impact of aircraft noise which will be considerably reduced by the planned introduction in 2006 of the less intrusive Embraer 195."
The master plan is open to public consultation from until 31 October. During that period the airport authorities intend to hold a series of open days for the public. You will need to book in advance by contacting the airport direct to arrange a visit. The open days are to be held on 26 July from 10am-4pm, 16 September from 10am-4pm and 20 September from 4-8pm. The contact e mail address to book a place is Southampton_masterplan@baa.com
Further details on the master plan and the airport itself can be found on the following website http://www.southamptonairport.com/ There is also a hotline number, 02380 627141.