Guest 697- Registered: 13 Apr 2010
- Posts: 622
#1
Thanet District Council has said "no" to night flights at Manston. A surprising decision given the fact that (1) the airport is now for sale; (2) KCC is calling for the airport to be expanded to see off Boris Island; (3) there is clearly a lack of capacity in the south east; (4) East Kent is trying to attract jobs and businesses following the demise of Pfizer. Looks like the NIMBYS have got their way, and another golden goose flies off (literally!) into the sunset. There's not a lot of joined up thinking here, with KCC appearing to call for development, whilst TDC say "no". Boris Island becomes more of a reality everyday, whilst Thanet will get an enormous housing estate where the runway used to be. Let's see how they like that!
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
#2
Even when I was a kid we called it Planet Thanet. This decision is even worse than DDC's refusal of MacArthur Glen, which was asinine enough.....
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#3
i must admit to surprise at the attitude of the public there, the area is crying out for investment and jobs.
the council to their credit brought in independent consultants to assess the effects of expansion.
residents on the flight path would object to night flights but they knew that was always a possibility when they moved there.
Paul Watkins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 9 Nov 2011
- Posts: 2,226
#4
Totally agree with all your comments Peter.
Watty
#5
DDC refused MacArthur Glen???????!!!!!!! FFS!!!!! Yes, totally agree..............an incredible decision.
Guest 665- Registered: 24 Mar 2008
- Posts: 345
#6
Madness!
Paul Watkins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 9 Nov 2011
- Posts: 2,226
#7
Yes Bern, It was passed twice by a planning committee & the Labour administration at the time referred to the full Council who overturned the planning committee decision. Ask Keith he was one of those involved, Reg certainly as well.
One of the most ignominous decisions taken.
Watty
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#8
shows consistency though paul, keith has always stated that he is against encouraging businesses to whitfield.
#9

Post 4 , I am for once speechless,
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#10
an aviation expert on the bbc earlier said that due to the vast majority of business passengers living to the west or south west of london manston was never likely to be a commercial success.
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,931
#11
If the only criteria is to satisfy the business passengers the only answer is to expand Gatwick.
#3, I agree completely with you Howard, maybe those who are unemployed in Thanet were not asked for their opinion.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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#12
#7 I can only wonder what criteria were used when that decision was made.

Guest 710- Registered: 28 Feb 2011
- Posts: 6,950
#13
On the lighter side...
Jan, just for you...
[URL][/URL]
Ignorance is bliss, bliss is happiness, I am happy...to draw your attention to the possible connectivity in the foregoing.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#14
thanet district had no choice as both the independent consultants and the public gave it the thumbs down.
Paul Watkins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 9 Nov 2011
- Posts: 2,226
#15
Not really Howard.
The answer is straightforward, the Council is held to ransom by 3 or 4 independents of differing persuasions.
A brave decision would have spelt investment across most of East Kent.
Why spend £5M Regional Growth Fund money upgrading the rail line from Ashford to Ramsgate to deliver the opportunity for a Manston Parkway station when the local authority has not got the balls to give a permission for full flights.
The £100m's invested into Thanet & KCC's land holdings are just thrown to the wind.
Both political parties agree the policies but won't come to an arrangement to back off on this one.
Watty
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
#16
Plan B: a wind farm at Manston......
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
#17
plan c; solar panel farm.
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
#18
Where do Roger Gale and Laura Sandys stand on this one, PaulW?
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Guest 643- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,321
#19
Howard #3.
That had crossed my mind too - forward thinking should always be a factor when chosing where to live. Too silly for words as my old English teacher used to say!

There's always a little truth behind every "Just kidding", a little emotion behind every "I don't care" and a little pain behind every "I'm ok".
Paul Watkins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 9 Nov 2011
- Posts: 2,226
#20
Peter,
Roger G for, Laura has to stay quiet too many votes involved.
You'll notice it's always Roger who does the TV interviews.
Watty