Representation by Wellington Crescent Association (Wellington Crescent Association)
- Date submitted
- 22 September 2018
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
The Wellington Crescent Association was formed to represent the views of owners and residents of Wellington Crescent - one of the principal historic buildings in Ramsgate. Our listed 200 year-old Crescent of 27 houses and some 100 individual dwellings lies directly under the proposed flight-path.
Our principle objections to the plan are based on: - Unacceptable noise and pollution levels from proximity of the airport and the declared flight-path for all those living or staying in Ramsgate. This is particularly so for night flights which the RSP consultancy document on Noise Mitigation put at 6,000 a year between 11pm and 7am and if these were evenly spread over a year it equates to one every half hour through the night, every night. The noise issue is particularly concerning to those of us in listed properties because we have severe restrictions on our ability to install double glazing in our homes. - This level of noise and pollution is not just detrimental to the wellbeing of current residents it also threatens the slow but sure economic recovery of the town. Both the inward investment for leisure facilities to encourage tourists (e.g. Weatherspoons) and capital improvements made by incoming new residents to the long-neglected housing stock depend upon Ramsgate retaining its peaceful and picturesque ambiance. We believe the economic loss from the airport use as planned with unrestricted night flights will outweigh the doubtful economic gain from any increased airport employment.
It is our view that the redevelopment of Manston will be more beneficial as a mixed development of required housing and light industry – a benefit to all in the Town without the negative impacts above.
As a linked cause for our concern we have closely followed the proposals and remain confused by conflicting and often seemingly unvalidated statements made by RSP and others on these issues of noise, pollution and the likely frequency of night flights. Some say that regular night flights are not part of the plan but others state night operations as the key difference between current proposals and previously failed Manston airport operations. We look to the Planning Inspectorate to find the truth behind these rival claims and thereby to gauge the integrity and genuine business acumen of the management team behind the plan to reopen Manston as a 24 hour freight hub.