AFTER TWO days and almost 17 hours of debate civic chiefs have decided to put the brakes on plans to expand the runway at Southampton Airport.

The final decision will have to be taken by all councillors in Eastleigh during a full council meeting set to be held on April 8.

It comes as members of the Eastleigh Local Area Committee have refused the plans.

But airport bosses said "this is far from over".

It comes as over the past two days members heard how the runway expansion would create more than 1,000 jobs, boost the local economy and result in a £15m investment.

But concerns were raised over the impact the move would have on noise and climate change.

It comes as the  committee was told that the number of people affected by noise would go from 11,450 in 2020 to 46,050 in 2033, if the expansion goes ahead.

Officers said the mitigation measures proposed - including insulation and a cap on vehicles to restrict passengers to 3m per annum -  would result in a "moderate adverse impact".

But the proposals that split public opinion, on Friday night also split the committee.

After almost three hours of deliberation, Cllr Paul Bicknell, Cllr Alex Bourne and Cllr Darshan Mann voted in favour of the runway expansion.

But Cllr Daniel Clarke, Cllr Jephthe Doguie, Cllr Wayne Irish, Cllr Sara Tyson-Payne and Cllr Tina Campbell voted against the proposals.

During the debate Cllr Bicknell said : "We have all taken this very seriously and  it is difficult for all of us. There is a very real risk that the airport is not viable."

It comes as according to the report the airport breaks even at 1.2m passengers per annum and without the expansion it is estimated that it would have just over 1m passengers per year.

Meanwhile, if the plans are approved  the number of passengers is expected to rise to 3m per year.

Cllr Alex Bourne said: "Whilst the report doesn't say the airport is going to close, it is easy to read between the lines. 

"It is not just a decision between health and wealth.

"We have an opportunity to save local jobs and create new ones.

"It is a massive conflict between the health of many and the wealth of many by having a job. "

But concerns were raised over the impact the move would have on noise, climate change, traffic, air quality and future generations.

Cllr Campbell said 34,000 people who are currently not affected by aircraft noise would be if the expansion goes ahead.

She said: "That is a hell of a lot of people affected by noise and that really concerns me. Health issues cost money, that will cost the NHS to help people who are experiencing mental illnesses or respiratory problems. 

"It is really important to save people's livelihoods and at the same time it is really important to recognise we are in a climate emergency we need to demonstrate real leadership here."

As reported, the plans were recommended for approval.

It comes as planning officers said they consider that permission should be
granted.

After the vote, Cllr Campbell, who is also chair of the committee, added: "The recommendation to permit has not been passed.

"In accordance with our constitution this matter will now be referred to full council for determination.

"This is as this is considered a matter of borough-wide significance."

Full council meeting is expected to be held on April 8.

After the meeting, Steve Szalay, operations director at Southampton Airport said: "Naturally, we are very disappointed with the lack of support from the Eastleigh Local Area Committee (ELAC).

"The committee did not support the recommendations of the planning officer and in doing so it has gone against the majority of Eastleigh residents who expressed their support during the consultation as well as the local business community. However, this is far from over.

"We now welcome the opportunity to present our plans to the full Council on 8 April. 

"We hope they will listen to the will of the people, the local business community and their own planning team and make the right decision for the future of the airport and seize the opportunity to create thousands of much needed jobs.”