Representation by Miss Caroline Knott
- Date submitted
- 16 September 2018
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I have lived in Ramsgate for about 22 years and remember the noise and disruption from flights during the day and night when Manston was open. At this time it used to sound like planes were going to crash through my windows. This led to disruptive sleep and nightmares of plane crashes. I am aware of the effect that sleep deprivation/broken sleep patterns has on a family and the health of the nation. (I am a qualified nurse). Thanet is a deprived area when it comes to health and this will not help the stress and wellbeing of the population in the location around Manston. Noise is also known to disrupt concentration and this will affect local businesses and schools. Again Thanet is a deprived area with poor performing schools and the education of local children will be negatively affected by the introduction of any noisy cargo planes. A 2005 study in the British Medical Journal showed that children living near airports lagged behind other children by 2 months for every 5 decibel increase above average noise levels with their surroundings. The current application for Manston carries no enforceable cap on night flights. This raises concerns of the extent of the detrimental effect of night flights on the local population.
The applicant has also has provided insufficient evidence of the impact of the noise measurements for the geographical location on the flight path to Manston. Previous measurements have used the reading of 3.8km, but in the areas of St Lawrence this is 1.6km and Central Ramsgate 3.2km thereby likely increasing the noise impact more significantly. In 2010 (prior to more housing being built) the population estimated to be affected by noise and pollution was 14,722-30,903 and the applicant has not been able to measure this impact as Manston is not currently being used as an airport.
The applicant is also intending to accept night ATMs rated at QC4 which have been barred from London airports on the basis of noise. The applicant has also chosen Manston over East Midlands on the basis of free night flights and the applicant welcomes support from night flights. Cargo planes are more likely to be flown over night and the applicant has not made significant assessment of the impact of light pollution. Monkton nature reserve is a haven for bats and other nocturnal animals and is also used for a local astronomy group. Noise and light pollution will negatively affect these areas.
The applicant has also only offered sound insulation to residents with 63 decibels continuously, where other airports have offered this at 51 and 45 decibels. This indicates that the applicant has little disregard for the local population