Representation by Diane Harvey-White
- Date submitted
- 12 September 2018
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
Ramsgate is the only Royal Harbour in the country and in 2021 it celebrates its bicentenary . This is the focus of a major regeneration programme for the town involving Turner Contemporary among other partners, which is intended to attract an ongoing influx of visitors to the town increasing jobs and amenities for local people in a way that is inclusive of the towns heritage and identity. The reopening of a cargo terminal at Manston does the opposite and because the flight path is directly over the town it threatens the work being done to regenerate this historic place. In addition the noise levels of the flights which are intended to operate 24/7 are detrimental to the quality of life currently enjoyed by the area - and will deter visitors. The suggestion that Manston can become a cargo terminal of national significance is not supported by the road network in the area and the additional traffic this will generate is again, to the detriment of local residents - and their visitors. The number of jobs that could potentially be generated at the airport do not have the same impact on the area as the regeneration scheme; the pollution levels caused by jet fuel will also have a negative impact on the quality of life and the interrupted sleep caused by low flying cargo planes suggest that the scheme put forward by RSP does not take account of the local inhabitants nor the efforts being made to regenerate the area in a sustainable way that puts the heritage of Ramsgate at the heart of the plan. I urge the Inspectorate to reconsider this proposal and put the quality of life of local residents at the heart of your considerations. Reopening Manston Airport does not give enough back to the local area to be warranted.