Bristol Airport is proposing to extend its runway to allow for new long-haul routes to the US and the Middle East.
The South West transport hub, which is launching a consultation on the proposals this week, has said that in order for the runway to continue operating safely - for all types of aircraft and in all weather conditions - it needs to relocate the existing approach lighting and install extra safety features at the eastern end.
The plans involve moving runway approach lighting and installing rows of lighting, and fencing around those lights, on parcels of land on Felton Common - a green open space owned by Winford Parish Council.
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It is understood that people will still be able to continue to use all of the bridleways on the common, with access maintained for the public.
However, the transport hub has said the enclosed lighting will result in some loss of accessible open space and affect grazing rights. But it added that replacement land that would be "accessible to all" would be provided next to the common.
A Bristol Airport spokesman said: “While only small areas of the common would be required for the lighting, we realise how important the open space is to local people, and so we are consulting with those with rights on the common, users of the common and local residents.
“We would encourage people to find out more about our proposal and provide any feedback they might have to help shape our plans.”
Bristol Airport will write to nearby residents, and those with grazing rights, ahead of seeking views on the proposals, it said.
The six-week consultation will run from Friday, November 7, until Friday, December 19, with information published on the airport’s website later this week.
The announcement follows the publication of Bristol Airport's Master Plan to 2040 earlier this year, detailing a long-term vision to provide more connections and serve new destinations, including a limited number of new longer-haul flights.
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Bristol Airport has said its future development plans are forecast to boost the regional economy by providing a total of £3bn in gross value added (GVA) and will create 1,000 new jobs.
But campaign group Bristol Airport Action Network it was "outraged" by the latest announcement, describing it as a "land grab" - and it had not been included in the Master Plan.
“This is absolutely outrageous and unacceptable,” said Richard Baxter of BAAN. “We’ve seen this time and time again - the airport slowly creeps beyond its borders to commandeer even more land for its corporate cash grab."
Bristol Airport has said views and feedback from both the Master Plan and runway approach lighting consultation will be used to inform detailed proposals to be submitted for planning permission in early 2026.
It added that the planning application would include all of the necessary infrastructure to enable Bristol Airport to serve 15 million passengers by the late 2030s and include assessment of environmental and other impacts.
There are currently around 10.5 million passengers a year who use the airport with permission already secured to expand to 12 million a year.
The news comes as Australian investment manager confirmed on Monday it had completed on a deal to acquire a 55% stake in Bristol Airport.