A FINAL decision on plans to expand the runway at Southampton Airport could be made by March, it has been revealed.

The proposals to expand the runway by 164m (538ft) were expected to be discussed in December last year.

But the final decision on the scheme was pushed back as airport bosses asked to add further information to the plans.

Members of the Eastleigh Local Area Committee will be asked to make a decision on the controversial scheme.

In a statement a spokesperson for the airport said: “Southampton Airport expect to submit additional information regarding its runway extension application to Eastleigh Borough Council later this month. A new public consultation will then follow, where the local community and stakeholders will again be invited to share their feedback on its updated proposals ahead of a committee decision, which we anticipate will be in mid-March.”

The news comes as the plans proved to be controversial and sparked a heated debate among residents and Hampshire leaders.

Airport bosses previously said the airport’s future would be in doubt if the plans are rejected.

But campaigners raised concerns over the impact of the runway extension  on climate change, noise and the environment.

Last year, Southampton City Council objected to the proposals on the grounds of noise and climate change.

The expansion of the runway would accommodate planes such as the Airbus 320 and Boeing 737.

Last year Southampton Airport amended the original proposals following a number of public consultations.

Among the main changes were proposals to cap the airport’s growth up to three million passengers per year by 2033.

The airport also proposed to increase the financial support for acoustic insulation to nearby households to £5,000.

But campaigners opposed to the scheme saying it would “cause huge harm to the environment and local people”.

Managing director at Southampton Airport Steve Szalay previously said thousands of jobs and the future of the airport would be hanging in the balance if the plans are rejected.