Previous planning applications
12 mppa Planning Application
Since opening at its current location in 1957, Bristol Airport has steadily grown larger.
Most recently, planning permission was allowed for Bristol Airport to increase its capacity from 10 million passengers per annum to 12 million.
A planning application was submitted to North Somerset Council in December 2018. This included terminal expansion, improved public transport options, road infrastructure, and enhanced environmental projects.
North Somerset Council refused the planning application at its Planning and Regulatory Committee in March 2020. This decision was taken against the advice of its own planning officers. Bristol Airport submitted an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate in September 2020 and a public inquiry ran from July to October 2021, which also dealt with a separate Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO).
In February 2022, the Planning Inspectorate announced its decision to allow Bristol Airport’s appeal to expand our capacity - their report can be read in full here.
Master Plan
To ensure airports like Bristol support their regional economies and keep local stakeholders informed of future intentions, the UK Government advises airports to publish plans for their long-term development.
2006: Bristol Airport published its first Master Plan in 2006.
2017: We commenced the preparation of a new Master Plan for Bristol Airport. The issues faced by Bristol Airport and indicative scenarios for the future were set out in an initial discussion document, entitled 'Your Airport:Your views - Preparing a new Master Plan’, that was subject to public consultation between November 2017 and January 2018.
2018: Responses received to the initial consultation informed the second stage of the Master Plan consultation undertaken between May and July 2018. ‘Your Airport: Your views – Towards 2050’ set out a phased approach for the continued growth of Bristol Airport. A summary of the feedback received is here.
2019: Work on a new Master Plan for Bristol Airport was paused as we brought forward our proposals to serve 12 million passengers per annum and then by the impacts of the pandemic.
2024: The Airport is now operating above pre-pandemic levels, and demand for flights is expected to continue to grow. A final draft Master Plan to 2040 has been published for consultation.
2025: A final Master Plan will be published in early 2025, prior to a planning application being submitted for infrastructure necessary to support 15 million passengers per annum.