CONTROVERSIAL plans to expand the runway at Southampton Airport have been earmarked for approval.

Civic chiefs are being recommended by planning bosses to approve the proposals to extend the runway by 164m (538ft). 

It comes as the agenda for the meeting set to be held next Thursday has just been published.

Planning bosses are asking councillors to approve the proposals.

If that goes ahead, details will then been agreed by the Head of Housing and
Development at the borough council.

Planning chiefs are also asking for a number of conditions to be approved.

Southampton Airport plans to be decided

These include a cap to restrict vehicle movements to the airport to 2.45 million; a noise insulation policy and noise action plan for residential and "sensitive non-residential buildings"; noise monitoring, noise contours and noise contour cap with annual report to the council demonstrating compliance with the noise contour.

Restrictions on night time flying, an air quality strategy and a carbon strategy will be also required to be in place.

It comes as the plans proved controversial with campaigners and Southampton City Council objecting to the scheme on the grounds of pollution, noise and climate change.

City council objects to airport plans

In the report which has just been published, planning bosses in Eastleigh said: " In coming to a recommendation, officers have had regard to the high number of comments received, both in favour and against the proposals, together with the delivery of policy and technical requirements. Officers have also considered whether, given the potential for future changes in national policy on aviation and climate change, the application should be deferred, but they do not consider that this would be warranted since the national policy position is likely to continue to evolve for some time. For the same reasons, officers do not consider that refusal on prematurity grounds would be warranted. Ultimately, officers consider that permission should be
granted, subject to the conditions set out in this report and the
completion of a section 106 agreement."

Southampton Airport previously said the expansion is vital for the future of the airport. 

The runway expansion would allow the use of larger planes, such as Airbus 320 and Boeing 737.

The final decision will be taken by the Eastleigh Local Area Committee on March 25 in a virtual meeting starting at 10.00am.