Campaigners want Bristol Airport hotel blocked
03.08.10
Campaign group Stop Bristol Airport Expansion (SBAE) is calling for the withdrawal of the planning application for a new hotel at Bristol Airport, submitted by the hub just last week. They say that the hotel, which is planned to be built on the current long stay car parking and car hire return areas, should not be given the go-ahead because that space should be used for further car parking to save the green belt land on the south side of the airport. The application for a 250 room hotel also means that local B&B’s, hotels and pubs will lose out.
Bristol Airport’s recently approved planning permission from North Somerset Council, which will allow it to expand to cope with a 60% rise in passengers by 2020, cannot be acted upon until a decision is made by the Secretary of State whether to allow development on green belt land. This development is for car parking, which would allow for the current parking area to be built on for this new airport hotel.
SBAE spokesperson Hilary Burn said: ‘This hotel is planned for land that should be used for car parking if the rest of Bristol airport’s plans go ahead. This application shouldn’t even be considered by North Somerset Council until we have a decision from the Secretary of State on development on the green belt land that will be visible from the Mendips. This is another example of Bristol Airport’s lack of concern for the local environment and local communities.'
‘The airport already has the monopoly on car parking. A big new hotel will take away from local businesses such as pubs and B&B’s. Despite claims that its prices will be set higher than nearby accommodation, of which there is plenty, pricing structures are always a moveable feast.'
'The application for the terminal expansion, currently waiting for a decision from the Secretary of State on whether to hold a public inquiry, implied a 120 room hotel, yet the aim is now for 250 rooms. This makes it hard to see how the airport hotel will not impact on other providers of accommodation and therefore how it will be economically beneficial.'
'The decision on the main terminal application is also thrown into doubt by such a change to the size of the hotel. As it is, Bristol airport currently has no need to expand as its June passenger numbers are still well below 2008 levels. We urge anyone concerned about this latest application (ref: 10/P/1240/F) to lodge an objection to North Somerset Council.’
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