Representation by Allan Winkworth
- Date submitted
- 5 October 2018
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I am a long time resident (40 years) of Herne Bay and have in the past experienced problems with air traffic to/from Manston. I believe RSP seriously underplays the environmental and human impact of the proposal to re-open Manston as primarily a Cargo airport and overplays the need for another airport principally aimed toward Cargo and its economic benefits.
Under past airport management, I have lived with the occasional delayed flight that arrives in the small hours of the morning. I can assure you this does NOT happen quietly and DOES disturb our sleep.
I would like the inspectorate to:
• establish and qualify the true proposals in regard to how many and what night flights are planned by RSP together with their need or justification and to align this with the impact on the well-being and health of all residents & visitors to the local area and further identify if a “cap” on night flights is required and, if so, how this should be measured and enforced.
• review the level of consultation undertaken and whether this adequately provided the necessary level of information and detail to the Herne Bay community. I was only made aware of the plans by friends. There was no direct communication by leaflet or otherwise. Again, I only found out about the open-meeting by chance and found RSP to be dismissive of impacts or potential issues to Herne Bay. I would like the inspectorate to confirm its view on whether RSP has been diligent and open and met the legal requirements for consultation and communication.
• consider the work undertaken on noise and pollution impacts and whether these take full account of the levels of air-traffic and related road traffic planned by RSP and the appropriateness of local infrastructure or funding to accommodate this. Furthermore, does RSP’s mitigation plans support East Kent meeting all national and local environmental pollution / air quality targets.
• review the work done to define/determine the impact of its proposals and mitigate potential problems in the wider surrounding Area and consider if this does or should include Urban areas under the East Approach path (e.g. Herne & Herne Bay).
• review the noise measurement and mitigation plans to ensure RSP’s calculations / technical findings are commensurate with the actual number of flights planned/required and that these numbers are consistent with its planned operating profile and the numbers used in the technical and impact reviews. Also that they include the wider-area (e.g. Herne-Bay) impacted by the flights and related traffic needs.
• identify if there is a clear and compelling case for a UK freight airport hub at Manston and if a case has been made that the establishment of this facility would be in the National Interest.