THE proposed expansion of Southampton Airport continues to split opinion across our communities.

While airport users give an enthusiastic thumbs-up to the plans, the debate took a further twist this week when Southampton Green Party called for an immediate halt to the expansion proposals at Eastleigh.

The Green Party plea came after BAA unveiled a master plan which would increase annual aircraft movements from the current 43,900 to 96,300 by 2030.

Passenger numbers are forecast to grow to six million, creating thousands of new jobs and boosting the economy by £260 million.

But the 25-year blueprint has already triggered howls of protest from residents living under the flight path who fear that their daily lives will be blighted even further by noise and pollution.

The outcry comes as a new survey this week reveals homes in airport flight paths can slash £15,000 from the value of a house.

In fact, the Haart Estate Agent poll shows only close proximity to run-down houses, nightclubs and takeaways is more damaging to house values.

Meanwhile the Southampton Green Party has condemned the government for promoting air travel without seriously considering the impact on the environment.

And local party chiefs say they are dismayed that the master plan for Southampton Airport lays out its agenda up to 2030 showing that BAA is more than happy to work with the government to get people flying.

Joe Cox, spokesman for the Southampton Green Party, has called on Whitehall to weigh up the real benefits of getting people travelling by plane against the damaging effects of climate change.

He has warned that increased C02 emissions will follow from continually expanding Southampton Airport.

Mr Cox said: "We have a duty to downsize our energy commitments for the future and not blatantly seek to fuel an already overheated situation."

He added: "Should the go-ahead for BAA to fulfil its master plan be approved, then this will send out a signal to all industry that climate change is not something that industry really has to worry about.

"Southampton Green Party demands an immediate stop to an expansion of our airport at all."

AXE, the campaign group against expansion at Southampton Airport, has also called for a halt to the airport's growth because of the need to tackle climate change.

A spokesman said: "BAA has produced a master plan for how they want to see Southampton Airport develop. Their plan puts the interest of the operator first - in many cases these will differ from those of the community and the environment."