Representation by Defence Infrastructure Organisation Safeguarding (Defence Infrastructure Organisation Safeguarding)
- Date submitted
- 7 September 2018
- Submitted by
- Other statutory consultees
DIO Safeguarding has previously been engaged with the agent regarding the proposed scheme for Manston Airfield. The proposed development occupies the statutory technical safeguarding consultation zone surrounding the Manston High Resolution Direction Finder (HRDF) and we have consistently raised concerns to this application due to no successful mitigation being identified. The HRDF is a critical piece of technical equipment for the MOD it is used to precisely locate transmissions from aircraft and supports the delivery of air traffic control functions. The mast serves as an integral part of UK wide network (the UK Diversion and Distress Facility) which is used to locate aircraft or personnel and direct rescue emergency response capabilities for the management of air safety incidents. We cannot support the application in its current form as the proposed infrastructure may cause a physical infringement to the operation of the asset. In addition, the Ministry of Defence has a number of freehold interests within the DCO boundaries (including the equipment referred to above) as well as a significant number of other legal interests for which no agreement has been reached as to how these will be dealt with.