Representation by Jonathan Fowler
- Date submitted
- 8 October 2018
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I would like the following issues to be specifically examined during the determination of the Riveroak Strategic Partners’ DCO application. 1. The significant difference between the provision for nightflights which is contained in the noise mitigation strategy and what people were told during the public consultations, where people were informed that night flights categorically did not form part of the RSP plan. Elsewhere in the application, RSP make it clear that there will be a significant proportion of operations staff present during night time hours, also reinforces the expectation that night flights form a significant part of RSPs proposals. This would appear to be a deliberate attempt to mislead those people who attended the consultation events and thus make public opposition to the proposals less likely.
- The discrepancy between what is stated in the RSP application regarding the potential impact of noise on local communities, and what [Redacted], Director of RSP, said in a statement broadcast by KMTV on 22nd August 2018. For the record, Mr Freudmann is published as saying "Some of the people in Ramsgate are just about having no night flights, some just don't want an airport at all and some are worried about noise. If you look at the Planning Inspectorate you will find the impact assessment which concludes there will be no impact, or if there is it will be negligible."
It would appear that this statement was made deliberately during a key period of the DCO process, specifically to downplay the potential impact of the RSP proposals.
Whilst I approached RSP on the 23rd August seeking clarification on this matter (via their published contact email [redacted]) they have sadly been unable, or unwilling, to send me a reply so far. I have not seen a retraction published regarding this misinformation.
The discrepancy between what is stated in the RSP application, which clearly contains plans for night flights (as evidenced in the noise mitigation plan) and statements from Redacted of RSP made in an article in the Guardian dated 7/10/18 – which includes “He says there are no plans for night flights.”
The potential impact of night time noise has been assessed as part of the application. I would be interested to see the methodology used to assess the potential impact examined further, as RSP appear to have used a non-standard methodology.
The siting of background noise monitoring stations in the gardens of people known to be active pro-airport campaigners leads to potential for questions regarding the validity of the data.
The methodology used for the determination of impact on the designated features of the Pegwell Bay NNR/SPA/SAC is not transparent.