CONTROVERSIAL plans to expand the runway at Southampton Airport are 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 was published yesterday.

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 Eastleigh Borough Council.

Airport bosses said to be pleased with the officers recommendation.

But the Airport Expansion Opposition (AXO) campaign group said to be disappointed.

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

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”.

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.

In a statement AXO said: "AXO is very disappointed to learn that the officers have recommended the runway extension be approved. Southampton City Council voted to oppose it because the economic benefits are limited compared to the very serious harms to local people from noise."

But Southampton Airport’s operations director Steve Szalay said: "We hope that local councillors take account of their planning officer’s recommendation and the supportive majority of planning file comments by backing the runway extension, which we believe is the right decision for the long-term economic and social wellbeing of our region.”

In the reportplanning bosses in Eastleigh said: “ Officers have had regard to the high number of comments received, both in favour and against the proposals 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.”

The final decision will be taken by the Eastleigh Local Area Committee on March 25 in .