A DECISION could be made today over Southampton Airport's controversial plans for a runway extension - and Bournemouth Airport chiefs will be keeping a close eye on the outcome.

Last month, members of Eastleigh Borough Council's Local Area Committee refused the proposals to build a 164-metre runway extension at the northern end of the existing runway.

However, the decision rests with all council members, with a meeting taking place yesterday and due to continue today.

During yesterday's lengthy session, Bournemouth Airport's objection was presented to councillors again.

Much of the opposition to the application relates to issues over climate change, noise and pollution.

Support for the scheme from Southampton Airport bosses, businesses and some residents have backed the scheme saying it would boost the local economy and create new jobs.

However, Bournemouth Airport chiefs highlight the impact the runway extension could have on its operation.

In a letter to Eastleigh Borough Council's planning department, Bournemouth Airport managing director Steve Gill outlines this opposition.

He wrote: "The exclusion of Bournemouth Airport from the applicant's analysis, including in terms of the role it plays as part of an interrelated system of service provision in this area, and the capacity it has to meet demand.

"The misapprehension that regional connectivity will be undermined if the extension of Southampton's runway is not allowed.

"The failure to account for displaced jobs and investment.

"The resultant inability properly to assess any net benefits of the proposal.

"That no analysis appears to have been made of the economic and other benefits that could be driven from the redevelopment of the Southampton Airport site for other uses if it were to close."

Mr Gill said the planning application is "almost entirely silent in terms of any acknowledgement of the presence of Bournemouth Airport."

He concluded that "important questions remain unanswered".

Some of the residents who have objected to the proposed runway extension cited Bournemouth Airport already having the capability to accommodate larger aeroplanes.

Opposition to the application was also tabled by Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

A letter from Dorset LEP director Lorna Carver said: "Our primary reason for this (objection) is that the infrastructure proposed as part of the development at Southampton Airport already exists at Bournemouth Airport and therefore the benefits stated are not incremental but will instead create duplication and potentially, displacement.

"As a result these works will displace jobs and investment from one of our key employment sites and will undermine the significant investment the Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership has made to Bournemouth Airport as part of our BIG programme.

"We believe that Bournemouth Airport already has the infrastructure and facilities to accommodate longer range aircraft and as such airlines provide services from Bournemouth Airport to meet the demand of region.

"Bournemouth Airport is located less than 30 miles from Southampton Airport and we feel strongly that creating the same infrastructure is duplication and displacement rather than complementary for the catchment. This is particularly problematic from the Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership perspective given the levels of investment we have made using government funds in supporting the development of infrastructure to facilitate the operations of Bournemouth Airport.

"As the proposed developments at Southampton Airport offer duplication it is likely that investment will be moved from Bournemouth Airport and this would have a huge impact on our region given that it is a key employment site.

"In the current climate of a global pandemic, this would have an even greater impact than in previous times and would be catastrophic for our residents."

A verdict from Eastleigh Borough Council members could be reached today, April 9.