Representation by Philip Davies
- Date submitted
- 27 September 2018
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I wish to object to the proposed development of the cargo hub airport at Manston.
I believe the peaceful enjoyment of my home and the town and surrounding areas will be detrimentally affected by a cargo hub airport, with planes regularly overflying the centre of the Ramsgate conservation area.
The DCO application does not adequately address the potentially negative impact of the cargo hub scheme on the Ramsgate conservation area - its atmosphere, amenity and the physical impact on the 450 listed places, including 443 listed buildings 1 scheduled monument, 1 registered park many listed and historic structures. Ramsgate has been designated a Heritage Action Zone by Heritage England, with the express aim of growing Ramsgate into a prosperous maritime town where outstanding heritage and architecture coupled with new investment and development strengthens the economy for the benefit of the local community (see Heritage England report at: [Redacted] The DCO application does not explore what impact a cargo hub airport would have on Heritage England achieving the aims of the Heritage Action Zone.
The DCO application does not adequately assess the airport’s potential negative impact on the local tourism economy which Visit Kent Business found in 2015 to have a value of £292 million to Thanet, with 5000 full time jobs and 7000 tourism related jobs (17.3% of employment). [Redacted]
The DCO application does not acknowledge concerns raised by people in Ramsgate about the potential blight of the Manston Airport site and the negative affect it is having and will have on the town’s potential to improve and regenerate itself. The Commonplace survey for the Ramsgate Neighbourhood plan, for example, which found that: The most controversial topics were the former Manston Airport and former Pleasurama site. Each in a different way represent the past blighting or potentially blighting the future. While the former airport is outside Ramsgate, people are concerned with the impact on quality of life if flights there are resumed or if it becomes a major freight hub. [Redacted]
Please could the DCO examination press the applicant on these issues.