Representation by Nigel Phethean
- Date submitted
- 1 October 2018
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
We live at [Redacted] which is a Grade II* 17TH century red brick and part coursed flint building under plain tiled roof. Built in 1713 on 16th century foundations with Dutch (or Thanet) Gables the house has a wealth of history and interest for both us, architectural historians and the local community of Pegwell and Ramsgate. It is one of the more important listed dwellings in Thanet and East Kent.
It lies on the western edge of the urban area of Ramsgate with open views to the south of fields and the important, natural environment of Pegwell Bay. It is less than two kilometres from the eastern edge of the airport site and just to the south of the previously used flight path by passenger and cargo aircraft landing and taking off from Manston when last operational.
The proposed development of Manston as an international cargo hub, operating 24/7 with potentially (if the applicants forecasts are to be believed )up to 50 flights per day would destroy the setting, tranquillity and charm of this fine building which has stood on this site for over 300 years.
It would make our lives unbearable: noise, pollution and visual disturbance would combine to make our home unliveable in. The noise from previous cargo carriers landing and taking off from the airport when previously operational was well in excess of 80 decibels, causing the windows to rattle and shake. While it was very unpleasant the disturbance was bearable given the infrequency of occurrence and no night-time flights. Measures to reduce noise disturbance, such as installation of double glazing, are not readily compatible with the character of the building and would not necessarily receive listed building consent.
Additionally, with the intensity of use proposed and our proximity to the flight path, we have serious worries about safety. At its peak in 2009, Manston was the sixth largest cargo hub in the country and handled 30,000 tonnes of cargo a year with only 435 flights and yet there were a number of potentially fatal incidents that could have resulted in major loss of life. With 17,000 flights, the risks increase dramatically.
We would ask the Examiners to consider the findings and conclusions of the Planning Inspectorate when determining an appeal against residential development on land to the west of the farmhouse in October 2002 (APPZ2260/A/02/1087618). Preservation of the setting of the listed farmhouse building weighed heavily in the reasoning and final decision of the inspector in dismissing the appeal. While we appreciate the decision on the DCO application depends on much wider considerations, the 2002 decision does expose the dilemma inherent in this application: namely commercial gain as opposed to the interests and protection of the historic environment of Pegwell and Ramsgate