Representation by Mrs Jane Wyles
- Date submitted
- 8 October 2018
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I wish to register my strong opposition to the development of Manston as a cargo airport.
We live in the CT11 area of Ramsgate which is under the flight path from Manston airport.
Any night flights and consequent disruption of sleep would be extremely harmful to my own, my family and other residents, health and well being. My daughter suffers severe [Redacted] and has problems sleeping, she has just started university, (Canterbury), studying environmental science, and if night flights start at the frequency expected she will have no sleep at all! It has been a real struggle for her to get this far only to have her prospects ruined, destroyed by lack of sleep.
RSP have applied for a limitless allowance of night flights. The resulting air and noise pollution would have a significant adverse effect on Ramsgate. RSP’s own documentation says it will have a permanent adverse effect on the areas and peoples lives. If the DCO is granted, there must be a ban on flights that are so noisy and polluting, they are not allowed at Heathrow. Why should the people of Thanet be forced to endure what the people of London refuse? With planes coming into land throughout the night, our physical and mental health would suffer, along with our sleep, work, education, environment and wildlife. Especially Pegwell salt marshes, recognised as rare and important habitats. Pollution from air traffic affects a wide area, this and the increased road traffic connected with a freight operation will have a detrimental effect on this habitat.
Tourism, property and local economy would be badly affected. Before the old airport closed in 2014, the noise from aircraft coming in to land was so great, GPs and teachers had to stop talking.
The case for Manston reopening is severely flawed. The site is surrounded on three sides by sea, an hour from the M25 and 60 miles from the Dartford Crossing on dual carriageways, making it geographically unsuitable to be a freight hub. Studies by aviation experts (Falcon Consultancy 2014, Avia Solutions 2017, York and Altitude Aviation 2017/8) concluded that a commercial airport at Manston would not be viable.
There is no trust in our local politicians to act in the best interests of their constituents. [Redacted] has his own business interest (his company Mama Airlines is registered at Companies House). When constituents express their genuine concerns over the impact of night flights, [Redacted] says he has 'no concerns as there is no plan for it', yet RSP in their DCO application clearly state that they require a night-flight licence. [Redacted] speaks in Parliament and tthe media about the people of Thanet wanting Manston to reopen but when the 'people of Thanet' write to him in opposition of the plan, he does not respond. [Redacted]has stated there are no plans for scheduled night flights but when pressed on the number of chartered night flights RSP would need to make their business profitable, he does not give an answer.
I believe that the redevelopment of Manston, by the owners SHP, as a mixed development of much needed housing (some affordable), open green spaces and light industry, will be much more beneficial to all in the town without the negative impact of the above.