Representation by Felicia Foster
- Date submitted
- 12 September 2018
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I am in support of a REGIONAL airport for cargo and leisure operations. However, I have concerns that a NATIONAL cargo hub - and Riverside's request for 'flexibility' around night flights - is shorthand for a behemoth on our doorstep. To give an inch on this issue would likely lead to this commercial enterprise taking a mile. It will seek to get as much return on their investment as possible and exploiting this loophole will be a temptation. I think PIN needs to be firm on this point because Riverside are seeking to 'develop' in an existing highly populated and residential area (versus residents moving into an area with an established hub airport).
I flew out of Manston to Barcelona and it was a positive experience so I am not being nimbyist. Thanet needs an economic lifeline but not at any cost, and certainly not health and wellbeing (by negatively impacting sleeping hours). Indeed, it will be interesting to see just how many jobs this proposal will create. 'Development', as ever, needs to be balanced with commercial exploitation. Thank you.