Representation by Nick Page
- Date submitted
- 7 October 2018
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I am against the application for a DCO by RSP for the building of an air cargo hub on the site of the former Manston Airport.
The reason for my opposition is the contradiction between the proposal and the purpose of a DCO. As far as I am aware, a DCO is for an infrastructure project of strategic national importance. I understand this to mean either a project that provides something that is not already catered for in the national infrastructure, or one that complements existing infrastructure entities in such a way that it provides a vital role that is otherwise not catered for within the existing system.
Reports show that the air cargo needs for the country are either currently adequately catered for or can be by expansion of existing facilities.
Given that the RSP proposal is for a commercially competitive venture, that precludes it from being a complementary facility. Instead it would be a competitive entity which, in order to thrive to the benefit of its shareholders, would by definition seek to diminish the existing provision of these services by established businesses.
Reports into the commercial viability of RSP’s proposal do not present a very favourable prognosis for the short to medium-term future. The capital required to underwrite RSP’s proposal as yet appears not to be forthcoming and plans for raising the required capital are somewhat nebulous. The lack of proven capital reserves makes the prospect of a compulsory purchase one that is unacceptably precarious.
Economic forecasts lean towards seeing a role for any aviation use of the former airport as being an occasional overspill facility for existing infrastructure. The downside of this is that even development for this modest use would require substantial capital expenditure with little guarantee of financial reward. Again, in this instance Manston would merely be duplicating that which is already available.
So, in conclusion; my objection is based upon my belief that RSP’s proposal does not meet the criteria or spirit of a nationally important infrastructure project, and that the business model of the proposal is too fragile for a project that purports to be of national importance.