Representation by Jon Boulter
- Date submitted
- 12 September 2018
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
Dear Sir/Madam,
I wish to object to the River Oak application for a freight airport at Manston because of the potentially disastrous impact it would have on the local area. In Herne Bay, we are on the landing flight path and would be directly affected by night flights; the potential capacity of 83,000 freight ATM's being suggested would be absolutely catastrophic to the health of the town. The increased noise levels and increased particulate/NO2/greenhouse gas pollution would seriously endanger the health of all those living under the flight path; children in particular. In addition, the fact that Manston has no fuel storage facilities would mean a constant flow of fuel tankers up and down the A299, creating further increases in pollution levels and a massive increase in traffic. So I would ask;
Has the Planning Inspector considered if the consultation provided sufficient information to all 40,000 Herne Bay residents, as the flight path covers most of the town?
Has the full environmental impact & health of residents affected (not just in Herne Bay) been taken into account and documented?
Has the increase in road traffic been considered?
Has the safety issues related to a vast number of freight aircraft taking off directly over Ramsgate been considered?
Please note, I have no objection to Manston being made a passenger airport again, but unfortunately the location of it is not ideal to make that work (as seen by the collapse of previous attempts) so very much doubt that would be a viable option. However, I believe that the application for a freight airport is fundamentally flawed and should not proceed in any shape or form.