Representation by Save Manston Airport association (SMAa) (Save Manston Airport association (SMAa))
- Date submitted
- 7 October 2018
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
SMAa wish to highlight the large number of benefits of a reopened and thriving airport. Some particular examples, and other important points are :
The key NEEDs for Manston Airport will help with are, Employment, Training and economic benefit to the area...plus the necessity for Runway space in the Southeast, and the handling capacity for cargo. It is very compatible with National Policy:
Education / training / apprenticeships – SMAa and sister organisation KNMA strongly support and aid these. Jobs – These high quality jobs, many with career structures are desperately needed - Half the new unemployment in the last year was in Thanet ; Regeneration – This huge investment in East Kent infrastructure will do much to overcome the state of the economy, health and lack of large firms in East Kent and Thanet; Value of Airfreight to the UK and Kent in particular will be enhanced; There is a shortage of airfreight capacity in the South East and Manston Airport can assist.
SMAa have no confidence in TDC's handling of Manston Airport and the DCO, and their wish to remove airport protection policies EC4 and SP05; SMAa note that TDC do not have an adequate consultation process with Dover or Canterbury Councils.
The huge investment in Manston Airport will obviate any failures in the past, due to lack of investment, with many more cargo stands removing the prime reason for cargo night flights at other airports.
Benefit to local hospitals - the huge infrastructure investment and large numbers of high quality jobs will boost funding and help high quality staffing levels; Longer life expectancy near major Airports in the South East; Money saved on every plane trip, with a local airport; Working days saved on every plane trip, with a local airport; The airport cargo HGV traffic will mostly be limited to the A299 and will increase A299 traffic by less than 1%; East Kent and Thanet in particular are very deprived areas, and the investment and jobs will help greatly; This is inward investment for Thanet on a huge scale with much of it coming from abroad as new money entering the economy, just as we are dealing with the challenges of Brexit; The tax revenues from this are enormous and provide benefits that don't cost the state. No public money is being sought: not as in other Transport DCOs for instance!
We have looked at what critics have said and will respond on matters relating to pollution, transport times, night flights and health but the case put by RSP is amazingly well crafted by serious experts of the highest calibre, particularly the detailed analyses by Azimuth.
SMAa are carrying out a poll, and members have so far produced over 60 reasons why they want Manston to reopen. We will report on the final version of this list at the Examination stage, complete with each set of members' names. For instance : 438 members (at current count) wish to say to PINS : I want Kent & Thanet to have the high quality jobs that Manston Airport will bring 370 : I want to see local businesses thrive once again with the reopening of Manston Airport 298 : It will help to raise young people’s aspirations And : 237 : Manston will provide STEM Engineering opportunities