Bournemouth Airport gets approval from BCP Council to double its storage area for jet fuel

Expansion plans for jet fuel storage at Bournemouth Airport have been approved amid an expected increase in flights.

The proposals double the storage area for fuel on the Mountbatten Drive site to the north-east of the airport’s operational area.

Changes to above-ground tanks have been given planning permission by BCP Council, along with facilities to cope with leaks, security fencing and a new vehicle access.

Drawings with the application suggest a doubling of the area to be taken up by storage tanks and other equipment – with an additional six large 120,000 litre tanks, although some existing tanks will be decommissioned.

Hurn Parish Council raised no objection to the expansion and no concerns were raised by other consultees, although the Environment Agency asked the tanks be raised at least 300mm off the ground to cope with a one-in-a-hundred-year flood risk in the area.

During the consultation process the design of the scheme changed, with a slight reduction in capacity compared with the original proposal for 800,000 litres and the tanks now oriented north-south rather than east-west, which gives more space between the storage area and the access road.

The changes include an increased capacity interceptor tank of 50,000 litres, below ground, to prevent any spills reaching the sewer.

Tanker access to and from the site will continue from Matchams Lane.