Representation by Lesley Elizabeth Chater
- Date submitted
- 7 October 2018
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
As a resident of Ramsgate living within the flight path for Manston, my family and I have direct experience of the detrimental impact of aircraft operating from the former airport. The aircraft noise was deafening and significantly affected our quality of life and sleep. As a former teacher, I am also very aware of the impact of sleep loss on children's health and performance in school. Given the proximity of Manston in relation to schools and the proposed plans for night flights, this is a major concern. However, as representations should be limited, and I've no doubt others will be commenting further on the above, I would like to draw your attention to broader significant concerns relating to internationally designated sites which would be affected by the airport including the Thanet Coast Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and the Sandwich and Pegwell Bay Nature Reserve of international importance for its bird population. The Nature Reserve is also a RAMSAR site of international importance due to its world class wetlands, one of only 75 sites in the UK. The Ramsar Convention has a range of measures to ensure that the ecological character of Ramsar Sites is preserved. Contracting Parties must be informed, at the earliest possible time, if the ecological character of any wetland in its territory is changing or is likely to change as the result of technological developments, pollution or other human interference. Given the contradictory and scant nature of information provided in the consultation for this airport development and given the credentials of those leading the proposal, I have grave concerns regarding the applicant's ability and intentions with regard to observing requirements for the Ramsar Site. In addition, Natural England must be consulted if a proposed development is likely to affect an SSSI or Ramsar Site. Operations requiring Natural England's consent and likely to damage an SSSI or Ramsar site include: use of vehicles or craft likely to damage or disturb features of interest; discharge of any materials (there is a known problem with run-off from the airport), maintenance or removal of pipelines and cables, above or below ground (the developers are looking at systems for fuel provision requiring pipelines), construction, removal or destruction of roads, tracks, walls, fences, hardstands, banks, ditches or other earthworks. Again, my concern is that due diligence is properly enforced to protect these sites of international importance and that any mitigation strategy (also required) would be sufficiently robust. In September, the first ever Global Wetland Outlook under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands confirmed that we are degrading and losing our wetlands at an alarming rate. Moreover, the report also stresses good governance and effective institutions at local, national and regional levels are a crucial factor in preventing, ending, and reversing trends in wetland loss and degradation. Apart from immediate concerns regarding health, quality of life and the growing tourism economy in Ramsgate and Thanet, I would ask that the Planning Inspectorate looks closely at all aspects relating to our local SSSI and Ramsar sites.