Representation by Trevor Roper
- Date submitted
- 4 October 2018
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I live in a Grade II listed building around 500 meters south of the runway. In RSP’s documentation the comments on our house are that “Modern background noise is likely to be limited and asset may be sensitive to changes in background noise.” When we first moved here over 25 years ago, the airfield gave us no cause for concern, indeed it was a novelty to see the air shows and aircraft such as Concorde and the Red Arrows fly over us. Listed buildings are not able to have double glazing installed and according to RSP’s dubious evidence we live on the edge of the 60db noise contour. We also like to keep a window open in our bedroom at night, particularly in hot weather. When the airport was operational, we were regularly subjected to the smell and fumes from aircraft which did not help the [Redacted] suffered by our children. With a significant increase in aircraft movements as proposed by RSP, the levels of asthma are bound to increase. The failures of three previous owners to run a viable airport business from the Manston Airport site over a period of 15 years clearly show that the airport site is just not suitable as a commercial venture. As a military airfield Manston was in a prime location, but as a commercial airport with a limited catchment area and remote location it fails. Six reports by aviation experts also reached the same conclusion. A Cargo Hub Airport would blight people’s lives, damage house prices and put businesses and tourists off the area. Numerous studies have found that people who live near airports suffer more from respiratory and cardiac problems due to air pollution. Noise also causes stress and hypertension, particularly at night. Research has also shown significant effects on children’s cognitive levels as well as an increase in dementia in the elderly. I used to teach in Clarendon House School, which is located 3.5km from the airport and directly under the flightpath. Sound levels on a monitor at the school measured peaks of over 100db and I personally had to pause my teaching whilst an aircraft flew over. Fortunately these were infrequent; however the RSP proposals would be far more disruptive. Reports have shown that aircraft noise levels of 60 dB in the daytime and 45 dB(A) at night are associated with an increased incidence of hypertension. Also exposure to 50 dB in the daytime can affect learning in schoolchildren. Even RSP have made clear that “aircraft noise would increase to a point where there would be a perceived change in the quality of life for occupants of buildings in these communities” When we were previously subjected to night flights, they always woke us up. RSP claim to have “no plans” for night flights, however RSP’s proposals clearly show evidence of night flight planning. This was also confirmed to me by one of RPS’s representatives at the Ramsgate Consultation. I therefore urge PINs to reject this Proposal on the grounds that it is not viable, and if implemented would blight the whole area.