Representation by Barney Harsent
- Date submitted
- 8 October 2018
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I am a Herne Bay resident and my reasons for registering are as follows: firstly, I do not believe that sufficient evidence has been put forward to show that this is an application of National Strategic Importance. Secondly, I believe that the negative impact on the area (particularly those who live under the flightpath) will be significant and sustained and lead to serious health risks from pollution and – most significantly – the noise generated by the proposed freight hub.
Freight aviation demand is flat (Department of Transport figures) with most cargo carried in the belly of passenger planes. Manston itself is an awful location for transport out of the airport once the freight lands there and there are significant areas of habitation incredibly close.
I attended the (poorly promoted) consultation and was told face-to-face by an RSP representative that "some night flights" would be needed to make the project viable. This is clearly not the line they have been taking elsewhere and, I feel, is worthy of further investigation particularly as the application proposes significant levels of night flight with a high noise quotient. Independent noise experts have stated that up to 30,000 people will be within the 85 dB(A) contour. Also, it appears that the applicant’s noise modelling does not meet necessary standards for development of a new airport.
This is just one of the areas of concern however, with increase road traffic, residents' health and amenity and the wider environmental impact also being of huge concern.
I cannot help but feel that the future of Ramsgate and Herne Bay are in danger of being sacrificed to feed a profligate project proposed by people with no track record of delivering anything but failure and houses.