Decision details

The Cabinet was advised that Birmingham Airport was currently consulting on a new Draft Masterplan, which set out its approach to accommodating growth in air travel up to 2033, and would supersede the current Masterplan adopted in 2007. The Cabinet was invited to consider the Draft Masterplan, and associated Surface Access Strategy, and agree the Council’s formal response to the consultation.

The Director of Managed Growth and Communities in introducing the report advised Members of the issues which they needed to consider as set out in the report. Section five of the report detailed the Council’s suggested response.

The Director advised Members that much had changed since the 2007 Masterplan was adopted. Forecasts of future demand for air travel had altered substantially. At the time of drafting the 2007 Masterplan, Birmingham Airport had forecast that up to 27.2mppa could use the airport by 2030. Through its own analysis, the Airport had now forecast that a total of 18mppa could be using the airport by 2033; a forecast that aligned well with the Government’s forecast of 17.4mppa. As a result the Airport had subsequently published an updated Masterplan for public consultation and, alongside it, an updated Surface Access Strategy that would supersede the current 2015-2020 version.

With regard to the Surface Access Strategy Members were advised that the Strategy concentrated its focus on how to maximise the potential of the schemes already in place such as the M42 J6 improvements and the infrastructure delivered in association with HS2, to provide access for Airport employees and customers.

In welcoming the report Members recognised that the proposed Masterplan presented lesser of an impact than the previous proposal in 2007, which the Council had to robustly challenge. The proposal this time could be broadly supported.

The issue of modal shift was challenged as well as offsetting carbon emissions, and one Member felt the proposed Masterplan was not going further enough on these issues, and the Council’s responses needed to be much firmer.

Members noted these issues needed to be mitigated against and highlighted the positive working relationship the Council had had with the Airport, which would be used to further these points. Members felt that a balanced response had been developed which recognised the work that still needed to be done, but also recognised the impact the Airport had on the economic prosperity of the Borough and wider West Midlands.

RESOLVED:

(i)  That the recently published Birmingham Airport Draft Masterplan 2018, and associated Draft Surface Access Strategy 2018 – 2023 be noted; and

(ii)  That the broadly supportive consultation response be agreed that also sought further consideration of the issues set out in Section 5 of the report.