CIVIC chiefs in Southampton have confirmed their objections to plans to expand the runway at Southampton Airport.

Southampton City Council has decided to uphold objections to controversial proposals to extend the runway by 164m.

It comes as the authority previously raised concerns over the impact the move would have on noise and pollution.

But as the plans were amended last month, the city council had to decide whether the additional information provided by airport bosses was relevant enough for the plans to be scrutinised again.

During a meeting held on Tuesday night, the Planning and Rights of Way Panel decided to uphold objections.

It comes as the latest plans revealed that  without the runway extension in 2027 the airport would have about one million passengers per annum.

According to the new documents the airport breaks even with 1.2 million passengers per annum.

During the meeting campaigner Angela Cotton raised concerns over the scheme and the impact it would have on noise.

But speaking on behalf of Southampton Airport, planning consultant Robin Henderson, said: "We feel that the mitigation is significant and when you balance that against the significant contribution that the airport will continue to make to the economy we believe that balance does fall in favour of the proposed development."

It comes as airport bosses proposed to increase the financial support for acoustic insulation to nearby households to £5,000.

But a planning officer told the panel that it is not yet clear how much will be spent to mitigate the impact on nearby schools.

Cllr Lisa Mitchell, chair of the panel, said: "It has not been very long since we last discussed this and given that it doesn't appear there have been many changes, particularly around the things that we raised when this came to us, I'd be happy to uphold our objection."

All panel members voted to uphold the objection.

As reported, a final decision on the plan will be made by Eastleigh Borough Council.

But a date is yet to be confirmed.

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

But the proposals have proved to be controversial as campaigners raised concerns.