Council to fight Farnborough Airport expansion

Farnborough Airport wants to increase its flights from 50,000 to 70,000 a year

A Surrey council has voted to fight an airport's expansion plans.

Farnborough Airport in Hampshire wants to increase its annual number of flights from 50,000 to 70,000.

Waverley Borough Council in Surrey has said this will increase noise and air pollution for its residents, and is writing to the government to object.

The airport said it currently generates £1.9bn for the UK economy every year.

The plans sparked protests from environmental campaigners in February

The proposal, put to Rushmoor Borough Council in 2023, attracted protests by environmentalists outside the airport.

Paul Follows, the leader of Waverley Borough Council, said: "Private jet travel benefits only a privileged few, but the environmental consequences will be shared by all - especially communities like ours.

"We're calling on our MPs and national leaders to reject this short-sighted proposal, that will fail to deliver economic growth for the public at large and prioritise the health and wellbeing of local residents and the planet."

Mr Follows has written to Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander and Godalming and Ash MP Jeremy Hunt.

The airport has claimed its environmental impact is less than larger facilities because the aircraft it serves are smaller

Waverley is being supported by Tilford Parish Council, which said the proposed new air corridor would route flights directly over the village.

The airport has claimed its environmental impact is less than larger facilities because the aircraft it serves are smaller, and it provides 3,000 jobs.

A spokesman for Farnborough Airport said: 'We remain committed to bringing forward our vision.

"This application has been subject to extensive consultation and we are continuing to liaise with Rushmoor Borough Council officers to enable a decision to be made later this year."

Tongham in Surrey is one of the closest communities to Farnborough Airport

Farnham and Bordon MP Greg Stafford said the airport "supports jobs and contributes significantly to the local economy" but that he shares concerns about the proposal.

"These plans are simply not acceptable in their current form," he added.

No date has been set for the application to be heard.

A spokesman for Rushmoor Borough Council said: "Rushmoor Borough Council will not be determining the Farnborough Airport Application by 30 June 2025 and is currently discussing with the airport and then with statutory consultees an appropriate revised timetable.

"This will be published once agreed. Any claims on the timing of the process at the moment are speculation."