Representation by Kyriacos Kyriacou
- Date submitted
- 10 September 2018
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
Dear Sir, I am responding to PIN TRO20002 a Development Consent Order (DCO) at Manston airport, to which I object. I am an owner of Grade II listed building, which will be directly under the flight path of the proposed Manston airport as a 24/7 cargo hub. The increase of day and night flights will have a considerable impact on both the structure of my home and my health, and particularly the health of children in the surrounding area and schools. The increase in vibration and noise from the low flying aircraft over Ramsgate will be unbearable, particularly if night flights are allowed, which were previously banned. I have experienced night flights in the past over my home, which were particularly intimidating, with the deep resonating engine rumbling sound and vibration to the house which woke me in a frightening way, as if from a nightmare. Once disturbed, it was very difficult to get back to sleep, as it felt like an earthquake had occurred and I had to get up to see what the problem was. If this were to occur several times a night, it would be detrimental to the health and well-being of Ramsgate residents, due to sleep deprivation, a known health hazard. I am unable to see the National Significant Infrastructure Projects benefit, as proposed by this DCO for Manston, carrying merely 0.064% of the air cargo traffic to the UK, this could easily be taken by established airports, rather than at Manston on the Thanet peninsula some 30 miles from the nearest M2 motorway. The road infrastructure is lacking, the optimistic business case and lack of funding make this venture not viable for an air cargo hub. All 4 previous attempts of this type of business have failed. The airport consultation undertaken by the Government, did not suggest that Manston was a viable airport hub. This venture would be detrimental to all the good work of the Thanet Tourist board over the past 5 years, which has been attracting visitors to “Ramsgate, the jewel in the crown of Thanet”, with its “Heritage Zone” and “The Royal Harbour” the only one in the country, which provides employment for more people in tourism, than would be generated by a Cargo airport. A proposed Ramsgate Marina development may also be threatened by the opening of Manston airport with the low flying aircraft over the Ramsgate beach and Marina, which would impact the developers, investors and reduce the visitor money attracted by such a development. The proposed development by Stone Hill Park the current owners, for 3,700 new homes on part of Manston with all the appropriate infrastructure would be lost, if this DCO were to succeed. I am against this DCO which will impact on the health and wellbeing of myself and many Ramsgate people under the flight path, who will not sleep well, especially school children who will be disturbed at school. Mr K C Kyriacou