Representation by Guy Evans
- Date submitted
- 6 October 2018
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I live in Wellington Crescent in Ramsgate, a beautiful and historic Grade II listed Regency Crescent, which I understand lies directly below the proposed flight path.
This apart, I simply cannot understand the economic viability of siting a noisy, polluting air-cargo hub just 4km (from the runway to the Marina) from an attractive, historic seaside town; a town containing many Georgian and Regency listed buildings, a superb beach and the UK's only 'Royal' harbour. Strolling along the beautiful harbour front, one sees a large number of cafe's, restaurants and pubs, and the pavements outside, full of people (a high proportion of whom are visitors) giving the area a bustling, prosperous vibe. If RSP get their way, there will be upwards of 10,000 - 17,000 planes a year flying less than 300 metres over the harbour. The excessive noise, vibration, pollution and visual disturbance resulting from this will almost certainly destroy the town's rejuvenated tourist industry, wrecking local businesses, discouraging investment (such as Wetherspoons) and devaluing property prices. I also understand that 3 schools lie approximately 200 metres under the proposed flight path of which no more needs to be said. These negative impacts will, I'm sure, far exceed any dubious economic benefits arising from a cargo hub.
Another issue I find deeply disturbing is the prospect of night flights. Although [Redacted] has said on record that no scheduled night flights are planned, it is extremely ominous that RSP have not ruled them out and that there appears to be a lot of confusion as to what their exact plans are. My fear is that RSP, once safely ensconced, will use 'salami' tactics - i.e. they will start off with no night flights but a couple of years down the line, they will announce that the only way for them to carry on trading profitably is to introduce a certain number of them. These will then gradually be increased over time. This fear is also based on the fact that most UK cargo flights are night flights out of economic necessity.
Night flights would have a devastating impact on residents - particularly those, like myself, living directly beneath the proposed flight path. Moreover, the noise impact would be exacerbated by the fact that Wellington Crescent is listed (along with hundreds of other buildings in Ramsgate) meaning that the installation of sound insulation such as double glazing would not be possible.
In my very firm view, the redevelopment of Manston as a mixed development of housing and light industry would of far more benefit to the town than a cargo hub which would have a very negative impact.