Runway
In its master plan the airport deliberates on a runway extension in some detail. It considers five options.
Do nothing.
Extend the runway by 140 metres.
This is regarded as the maximum extension that won’t need any airport control of Felton Common. The A 38 would still need to be lowered into a 150 metre tunnel and the ILS for 09 would need to be relocated.
Extend the runway by 389 metres.
The maximum extension that can be accommodated within airport land although the localiser and possibly approach lighting would have to be relocated onto the Felton Common; an area of Common 240m by 150m would need to come into airport control.
Extend the runway by 239 metres with a 150 metre starter strip.
This would add 389 metres to 27 take off run but only about 150 metres to 09 take off run. The need to encroach on Felton Common would be avoided.
Extend the runway further, with further encroachment onto the Common.
It’s possible that requirements to improve safety standards could reduce some of the potential benefit. There is also an issue with the approach lighting which currently sees the approach light array truncated to avoid the need to encroach onto the Common which could have a significant effect on it.
The local authority has declared Felton Common to be a Local Nature Reserve under the relevant legislation.
The master plan concludes: Our overall conclusion is that the improvement in performance that might be achieved by extending the runway is relatively small in comparison with the costs and the potential environmental impact. Our preferred option at this stage is therefore the 'do nothing' option.
However, the issue will be kept under review.
The above is my summary of the runway options. The full assessment can be read in the airport’s master plan via its website
There is no mention whatever of extending the runway to the west. Presumably the topography makes such an idea unrealistic.
The airport is currently restricted to 10 mppa by its planning consents. When it reaches that there will be another almighty battle with objectors (as with the expansion plans) if the airport seeks to have this limit raised. However, the clamour would be nothing compared with an attempt to take over Felton Common. That would become a worldwide cause celebre amongst the environmental community (the expansion plans saw objections to the local authority from as far afield as Australia).