Representation by Kevin Michael Spain
- Date submitted
- 3 September 2018
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
Local infrastructure could not cope with the excess housing IE roads ;schools ;hospitals ;other medical services and water. Each unit of 5000 houses equals a minimum of 10,000 new jobs required in a deprived area. High density housing has also been proposed vastly increasing the above. Only residents over 100 years old recall a time when Manston was not an airfield. Post Brexit Manston is the nearest Freight nexus for Europe and as services increase so will local employment in several key areas regenerating the tourist industry and adding extra capacity for the London airports as well as a diversion runway during emergencies. The length of the runways are also key as all approaches can be made over water, and would make any use of High Altitude Aircraft (developments of Hotol)or mooted and ongoing horizontal take off space launches, a key national strategy for the future of the aircraft industry of which several key firms still retain production and research departments locally. The final point I would make is as a National asset Manston could never again become viable if redeveloped as a vast one off "quick buck" high density housing development And were this to override and ignore the wishes of the real locals who have the long term interest of the Island at heart and are firmly committed to supporting the airfield into the next century and beyond, it would be a sad day for democracy and our community; country and future.