A FULL investigation must be carried out into the environmental impact of a £2 billion international airport in Newport, a leading politician says.

Liberal Democrat Assembly Leader Michael German says only after the environmental impact is assessed can a proper debate on the controversial proposals begin.

As reported by the Argus, the Severnside plan was submitted to the government two weeks ago, proposing that a man-made island be built in the Severn Estuary to accommodate the airport and its runways.

Backers are claiming that if it is agreed, the airport could open by 2012, handle 30 million passengers a year by 2030 and create 13,000 jobs.

Mr German, AM for South Wales East, met Friends of the Earth Cymru chief Julian Rosser to discuss environmentalists' concerns on Friday.

Afterwards he said: "An environmental impact assessment now would mean information being available about the possible effects. This information must be available if we are to have an informed public debate.

"Before we can assess whether a Newport airport is a viable proposition, we have to investigate all aspects."

Earlier this month, Mr German also met a firm of aviation consultants who have been advising Newport city council.

Mr German added: "After hearing from aviation and environment specialists, I am convinvced that the next step is a full assessment of the costs and benefits of any airport proposal in the Severn Estuary. No further progress can be made in agreeing or refusing a proposal until we have more information."

The submitted Severnside report says there would be savings on aviation fuel because transatlantic jets would not need to fly the 260-mile round trip to Heathrow if Severnside went ahead.

A final decision on just which airport schemes for the UK are approved will be made by the government in an aviation White Paper later this year, but the government said last year that Severnside was only likely if Bristol or Cardiff airports closed.

However, Severnside's chairman, Michael Stephen, argues that while both these airports can handle the local demand, neither of them are well located and neither can connect directly with a motorway or mainline railway.

Mr Stephen said: "Severnside will be an intercontinental airport doing for southern and western England and South Wales what Manchester airport does for northern England and North Wales."