The denial of ‘critical’ plan by Eastleigh Borough Council will affect more than 2,000 jobs. Credit: Will Drzycimski / Unsplash.

Controversial expansion plans to lengthen the runway at Southampton Airport in the UK will be discussed by Eastleigh councillors.

On 25 March, proposals to expand the runway will be voted on by the councillors.

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The airport is aiming to extend the runway by 164m to enable the use of larger aircraft for holiday flights.

The airport said that the plan is ‘critical to the airport’s survival’ and its denial by Eastleigh Borough Council will affect more than 2,000 jobs.

However, Southampton City Council and local activists objected to the plans on the grounds of noise and climate change.

Even after the airport submitted its amended plans that included ‘significant mitigation’ to noise and environmental impacts, the city council upheld its objection.

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Under the revised plans, passenger number growth has been curbed and financial compensation for acoustic insulation to nearby families has been increased to £5,000.

Action group Airport Expansion Opposition (AXO) had earlier said that over 60,000 people will face the issue of increased noise from flights.

Previously, the airport pointed out that its current runway is ‘one of the shortest in the UK’ and is incapable of handling larger aircraft such as Airbus 320 and Boeing 737.

The airport’s planning statement says: “It precludes these aircraft types from taking off in a southern direction when fully laden with passengers and sufficient fuel to reach the key holiday market destinations of southern Europe.”

Moreover, the airport stated that its plans will produce an extra £240m for the regional economy by 2037.