Representation by Caroline Corris
- Date submitted
- 7 October 2018
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I live in Herne Bay directly under the extreme east to west proposed flight path. I object to the application because:-
The applicants intentions regarding night flights is not clear, worst case scenario is said to be eight flights a night, so why is the night noise quota count so big? Why is there no numerical cap on night flights? This would severely affect the sleep quality in my household. Will the Inspector get clarity on those matters please?
The applicants estimate of additional HGV movements generated seem very low (64,906 by year 2020). Compare that with East Midlands Airport which currently generates 182,500 HGV movements, yet by year 2020 Manston is forecast to exceed East Midlands freight tonnage.
Indeed [Redacted] stated on the BBC in July 2015 that Manston’s location and roads were unsuitable for a possible relief of operation stack and the idea was “completely insane”. What has changed in the last 3 years to suggest the roads are now suitable for HGVs?
This would cause untold extra pollution travelling down the A299 past my house. Affecting my husband’s asthma and quality of life. Will the Inspector please probe the accuracy of the applicants forecast, as the implications for the local road network are significant?
Also there is the question of fuel tanker movements per day. The applicants estimate seems very low. Obviously, the more successful the airport becomes the greater the impact of tanker traffic.
Finally the Business Case lacks cash flow, profit and loss and investment projections. It is mainly based on opinions, conjecture and assertions.
The main draws of freight and passenger demand are GDP and the exchange rate. The Bank of England, The Treasury and the International Monetary Fund find it virtually impossible to forecast these variables 12 months in advance, yet the applicant forecasts cargo and passenger demand 20 years into the future!
Aviation is one of the noisiest and polluting forms of business there is and because of its international nature, avoids much UK taxation e.g. no excise duty or VAT on aviation fuel or aircraft servicing.