Representation by David Jennings
- Date submitted
- 16 September 2018
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I believe there are better uses for the Manston Airport land that would generate more jobs, of higher value, that are more sustainable. Moreover, these other uses could also leave space to relieve the pressure to build housing on greenfield sites in the area.
I believe the current freight hub proposals are high on pollution, high on noise, high on increased traffic congestion, low on 'valuable' jobs (handling freight involves just a moderate amount of low- or medium-skilled work), and zero/negative on direct benefits to local citizens. Even if it were possible commercially and politically, it seems highly unlikely that a freight hub would survive legal challenges on its environmental impact. In particular most of Ramsgate could be rendered uninhabitable and unusable for activities such as education and tourism, which are central to the livelihoods of many of the people living there.
Instead there should be a focus on genuinely high-value and sustainable jobs, for example in renewable energy and solutions to climate change challenges that all coastal areas are increasingly facing.
I have submitted two representations to RSP raising these concerns, but have received no response that addresses them.