Representation by Polly Dryden
- Date submitted
- 3 September 2018
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I was born and brought up in Broadstairs and the influence that Manston had, and should still have, on the local area was always discussed. It was a place we visited often to admire the Spitfire and to know of its hard work that it and other planes did in World War II. Manston has not only been an RAF base of influence but housed the Air Sea Rescue Helicopters, hosted the Red Arrows on many occasions but also was a place for trainee pilots to practice their landing skills but a place too for emergency landings and used for cargo. All these aspects in turn provided work for people at all levels and abilities. It was a sad loss when Manston was purchased for a £1, seemingly without any consultation. Thanet is not a wealthy area but has a passionate community who live and work the area but who have strong a desire to see Manston Airport come back to be a full working airport and more, once again providing employment and using a very valuable and long runway rather than building a new one at one of the other airports in the country, we have the infrastructure to cope with this.