Axis provides strategic planning, environmental and transport advice to help aviation clients identify development opportunities, shape long-term development strategies across airport estates and secure the consents needed to deliver operational, infrastructure and commercial projects.
Combining first-hand experience of airport planning and operations with our established expertise in major infrastructure planning, complex development and environmental assessments, we offer practical advice from early feasibility and masterplanning through to consent and implementation.
We understand that successful development must respond not only to planning policy and environmental considerations, but also to the operational, safeguarding and commercial requirements of the aviation industry.
Our aviation expertise is strengthened by the experience of Adam Ewart, Associate Planner at Axis, who previously led the planning function at Newcastle International Airport.
A key part of Adam’s experience was his involvement in the development of Newcastle International Airport’s Masterplan 2040, helping establish a long-term framework for airport growth, infrastructure investment, and environmental commitments. This work involved coordinating planning considerations, technical inputs and stakeholder engagement to support the airport’s long-term development ambitions.
Alongside the masterplan, Adam worked across a diverse portfolio of airport development projects, including a 27-hectare employment and cargo development, an airport solar farm, ultra-rapid EV charging infrastructure and associated commercial development. This breadth of experience provides a practical understanding of how planning strategy must respond to unique development requirements, environmental constraints, and operational priorities.
Adam brings a valuable client-side perspective, understanding the competing demands that airport operators must balance when planning and delivering development.
Working alongside our multidisciplinary planning, environmental, landscape and transport specialists, Adam helps clients develop practical, well-informed approaches to airport development and consenting. This allows Axis to combine an understanding of the airport operator’s priorities with the technical expertise required to assess development proposals, manage planning risks and secure consent.
Airports play an important role in regional economies, supporting employment, investment and connectivity. To remain competitive, they must be able to adapt, improve their facilities and plan for future requirements.
Axis helps aviation clients establish realistic development strategies, identify planning and environmental risks early, and navigate the consenting process.
Our approach recognises that airport development often involves competing considerations, including safety, environmental effects, surface access, and relationships with local communities.
The aviation industry faces significant challenges in reducing its environmental impact while maintaining the connectivity and economic benefits it provides. The UK Government’s Jet Zero Strategy sets an ambition for airport operations in England to achieve zero emissions by 2040, creating opportunities for investment in renewable energy, energy storage and lower-carbon infrastructure. Airports are now considering decarbonisation options within their own estates including solar and wind generation, battery storage systems and retrofitting existing buildings. Axis supports these ambitions through our established experience in planning and consenting renewable energy, low-carbon infrastructure and sustainable transport projects.
This includes advising on opportunities for on-site renewable energy generation, electrical infrastructure, energy storage, improved surface access and other development intended to reduce the environmental footprint of airport operations. Our wider experience in renewable energy and major infrastructure projects provides a strong foundation for supporting airport operators as they explore opportunities to decarbonise their estates and strengthen energy resilience needed for a lower-carbon future.
Our environmental and landscape specialists can also help identify and manage the potential effects of new infrastructure, ensuring that sustainability ambitions are considered alongside operational requirements and planning constraints.
Axis provides strategic planning advice and support for airport masterplanning, helping airports explore development opportunities, assess constraints and establish practical routes to consent.
Our involvement can begin at the earliest stages of a project, informing site selection, development options and feasibility assessments before detailed proposals are prepared.
We work alongside airport operators, designers, engineers and other specialists to integrate planning and environmental considerations into the development process.
Our experience of major infrastructure and operational sites enables us to anticipate planning challenges, coordinate technical assessments and manage engagement with planning authorities and other stakeholders. This is particularly relevant where development proposals involve multiple technical disciplines, complex environmental constraints and the need to balance competing land uses across an operational estate.
We also recognise the importance of phasing development appropriately to minimise disruption and maintain operational continuity.
Axis brings together planning, environmental, landscape and transport expertise to support aviation projects from feasibility through to consent and delivery.
Our services include:
Our integrated approach provides clients with coordinated advice, helping to resolve constraints and maintain momentum through the development and consenting process.
Securing consent for safety-critical development within an operational airport
Axis secured planning consent on behalf of City Airport Ltd and Peel Land & Property Ltd for an airfield safety scheme at Barton Aerodrome, Greater Manchester.
The project involved significant land regrading, the diversion of a watercourse and ecological mitigation, within the operational environment of a CAA-licensed airfield.
A key challenge was ensuring that the works could proceed while the airport and heliport remained operational.
Axis assisted in developing the scheme, including detailed phasing proposals, landscape restoration and environmental mitigation. This included consideration of restrictions on the height of construction plant operating close to active runways.
The team also negotiated appropriate compensatory habitat, prepared a whole-airport Landscape and Ecological Management Plan and supported the preparation of information for construction.
The project demonstrates our ability to bring together planning, environmental and design expertise to secure consent for development where operational safety and continuity are fundamental considerations.
Supporting investment and operational improvements at a major aerospace manufacturing facility
Axis has provided planning consultancy services directly to Airbus at its Broughton manufacturing facility since our inception in 2000. During that time, we have acted as planning adviser on all major development projects implemented at the site, securing consent for new facilities, modifications and extensions to existing buildings, and associated infrastructure.
Our work has included two major manufacturing and assembly facilities: the A380 West Factory and A350 North Factory. At around 900,000 sq ft and a cost of circa £350 million, the West Factory was one of the largest single-site manufacturing facilities to be built in the UK. Axis secured detailed planning permission for two variant designs of the factory, together with the River Dee Load-Out Facility, and coordinated the environmental assessment work required to support the applications.
The scale of the A380 wings presented an unusual transportation challenge, requiring the development of a new river-based system to transport completed wings from Broughton to the Port of Mostyn for onward shipment. The route passed through an ecologically sensitive estuarial environment, with Axis acting as planning adviser and intermediary between Airbus and its environmental specialists to help navigate the associated planning and environmental considerations.
Our aviation experience at Broughton also extends airside. Axis secured planning permission for upgrades to the operational runway at Hawarden Airport, including pavement widening and other safety improvements required to accommodate the replacement Beluga aircraft fleet. The works had to be planned within the constraints of a live airfield, under the strict control of Air Traffic Control and in accordance with CAA requirements.
Our work has helped facilitate the delivery of around two million sq ft of new BREEAM ‘Excellent’ buildings at Broughton. Alongside these major development projects, we continue to provide Airbus with planning advice across areas including permitted development rights, prior notifications, and potential land acquisition.
More recently, our work has included developing a comprehensive transport strategy for Broughton, identifying infrastructure and operational measures to improve accessibility and support the site’s long-term sustainable operation.
Why Axis?
Aviation development calls for planning expertise informed by an understanding of how the airport environment operates.
Axis combines direct client-side aviation experience with a proven track record in major infrastructure planning, environmental assessment and transport planning.
We understand that securing planning consent is not an isolated objective. Successful development must also be operationally workable, commercially realistic and capable of delivery.
Our clients benefit from direct access to experienced specialists, coordinated multidisciplinary advice and a practical approach to resolving development constraints
From initial feasibility to implementation, we help aviation businesses turn development ambitions into deliverable projects.
Planning development at an airport or aviation facility?
Contact Adam Ewart at adam.ewart@axis.co.uk to discuss how Axis can support your project, from early feasibility and planning strategy through to consent and delivery.