Representation by Jennifer Selmes
- Date submitted
- 10 September 2018
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I am writing to express my objections to the plans to re-open an airport at Manston.
The business case for re-opening the airport is unconvincing. All evidence from previous operations suggests that an airport at Manston is not commercially viable. It is in the wrong location - on a peninsula in the south east of the country. It is 30 miles from the closest motorway, the M2, with a further 29 miles to the M25 and the Dartford crossing. In addition, there is no convincing evidence of how the proposed development will be funded and a failure to demonstrate financial credibility.
It has been claimed in Planning Applications that an airport will boost the region’s GDP, and refers in particular to boosting levels of tourism. I believe this is completely false. In recent years Ramsgate has been developing its tourist industry very successfully, and is attracting many new businesses, mainly for the tourists who visit during the week and at weekends. It is becoming a thriving town. Many members of my family, as well as my friends, greatly enjoy coming to Ramsgate. However, no one will wish to spend their leisure time in Ramsgate when low-flying, heavy aircraft are crossing the town throughout the course of the day and night. Visitors will spend one night in the town and never return. The impact on the tourist industry, a major source of employment, will be catastrophic.
Should Manston open as an airport as proposed, it will cause serious health risks and probably early deaths, due to air and noise pollution. Many of us moved to Ramsgate to benefit from the healthy sea air and relative peace of an attractive seaside town. Aircraft flying over Ramsgate will ruin all our lives, and many of us will leave. I can recall a time in the past when the airport was open, and a friend was visiting us on a cloudy day. As he stepped out of our front door, he ducked down in fright, wondering what on earth the shatteringly-loud noise could be.
I have worked in a school for the past 26 years and I am very aware of the detrimental impact on children’s ability to concentrate on their lessons, after a disturbed night’s sleep, as will be the case when airplanes are flying overhead. Children’s education will be severely affected, which could have an adverse impact on the rest of their lives.
Many of the most significant listed buildings are residential properties and located in the Central Harbour ward, directly under the flight path. Compensation would need to be paid to residents, so they could double or triple-glaze their windows. However, many would be very reluctant to destroy the look of Regency homes in this way – and I doubt it would even be allowed on the many listed properties in the town.
In 2017 Ramsgate became one of Historic England’s first Heritage Action Zones, with the aim of using the town’s heritage assets to achieve sustainable economic growth. It is the only HAZ in the South East Region. The applicant’s case fails to recognise the quality and significance of Ramsgate’s heritage assets.