Representation by John Minnis
- Date submitted
- 10 September 2018
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I strongly believe that Manston Airport should be retained as an airport primarily for freight and when established some passenger services the down fall of the airport when it was in use is that the previous owners promoted passenger traffic and not enough freight. There is not enough of a catchment area for passenger only use but there is a huge demand for freight . In 1979 when Manston Airport was bought from the Ministry Of Defence there was a large freight presence which generated jobs and business for the local economy . Also Manston was the base for the search and rescue helicopters which needs to be reinstated as this is the closest base to the coast for sea rescues . Manston Airport should not be used for housing the owners promise that large companies will come and create jobs they promised the same when they bought Discovery Park in Sandwich they owned the site for 5 years and no other large companies came to the park they say that warehousing is urgently needed there are many industrial units empty within Thanet and surrounding areas without using the Airport. The Airport should be reinstated as soon as possible with the help of the DCO.