Representation by Alan Richard Clark
- Date submitted
- 14 September 2018
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
The reopening of Manston Airport will bring a much needed economic boost to Thanet and a wider area of neighbouring East Kent. It will not impose the strain on utility resources that an alternative proposal for housing development on part of the site would entail, particularly, I submit, on the water table on the permeable chalk soil of the area which is in the driest area of the country. The existing runway is one of the longest in the country and at the time of its closure a few years ago able to accommodate the largest commercial aircraft. The site is in a micro-climate area, surrounded on three sides by sea and where adverse whether conditions at Heathrow and Gatwick affecting flights there are often not experienced. The main flight path when the wind is from the west affects Ramsgate and, to a lesser extent Broadstairs, but no other main population areas. A less common easterly wind means the flight path is not over any large or even medium size population areas. I was born and bred in Ramsgate at a time when Manston was a major US flying base. Residents were accustomed to the noise of fighter jets flying to and from the runway daily. As Ramsgate has expanded subsequently to the west new home occupiers were aware of the existence of the airfield - it was there and accepted by others before they came. Quite simply, with pressures on existing commercial and passenger airports in the London and south east parts of England Manston is an existing site awaiting development.