Representation by David Wallin
- Date submitted
- 24 September 2018
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I, and most people I know, sincerely wish for Manston Airport to return. It is, to my mind, vital for the area as it will create jobs in a high-unemployment area. Initially, we are looking at a predominantly freight/cargo airport, but with charter and private flying at the same time, hopefully expanding to a limited passenger service as well. Thanet needs jobs and this should provide a few hundred at least.
Further, as some sort of a connection to the Royal Port of Ramsgate would, hopefully, be created, there are great possibilities in the future for services that combine a cruise with a flight home afterwards.
It is also a very good idea to have such a capable runway, that is active, but not used to a level such as Gatwick or Heathrow, as it would provide a great emergency landing place in the South East - indeed, the last landing there was an emergency landing by a private plane.
Manston was an airport before just about anyone currently alive was born (they'd be over 103 by now), so the local population are used to hearing the noise of aircraft and this is not a valid reason to object to the return of Manston.
Finally, there are things such as the water reservoir facilities that the area currently provides and the question of 'buried things', explosives, nuclear shelter and the like that mean the area would not be suitable for creation of a new Town.