Abandoned airport with one of UK’s longest runways hits roadblock in £750m reopening | Travel News | Travel
A derelict airport with the UK’s 11th longest civilian runway has hit a major hurdle ahead of its long-awaited reopening. Plans to reopen Manston Airport near Ramsgate, Kent, have been underway since 2019 and the project is expected to cost between £500 million and £750 million.
The site has been closed since 2014 but was repurposed as a lorry park during the Covid-19 pandemic. Current site owner RiverOak Strategic Partners Ltd (RSP) plans to reopen the airport as a global air transport hub as well as providing commercial flights by 2029.
In March, RSP launched a public consultation on the proposals. Its director, Tony Freudmann, invited people to “provide any feedback that will help shape our plans”. As of that month, the company expected construction work to begin early next year. However, in May Ramsgate Borough Council announced it would raise concerns about proposed changes to flight paths and airspace as part of the consultation phase for Phase 3.
The area, which has been closed since 2014, was reopened as a truck park due to the Covid-19 epidemic. RSP acquired Manston in 2019 with a Development Consent Order (DCO) to greenlight the reopening, which was approved in 2020.
This ran into legal challenges, but an updated DCO was ultimately signed in 2022. Ramsgate Borough Council argued that the proposed flight paths would lead to planes flying at low altitudes over densely populated parts of Ramsgate.
The proposals stated that the airport could see up to 14,000 air traffic movements per year by 2038, or about 38 flights per day. The council highlighted the potential impact this would have on residents.
The RTC noted the potential adverse health effects of noise exposure outlined in the proposal. These include sleep disturbance, increased risk of stroke and heart attack, loss of enjoyment, and possible links to dementia.
In fact, the applicant’s plans put the potential cost of noise-related health conditions at more than £20.8 million over 10 years. The RTC said it has other concerns as well.
It has been suggested that the size of the intended operations is much greater than at past levels. The RTC also alleged a lack of evidence regarding secured funds or operators.
He also claimed that the request had not been independently verified. Additionally, the council did not believe the consultation was adequate in terms of the size of the proposal, citing the limited number of engagement events.
RTC chairman Cllr Steve Albon told The Isle of Thanet News: “Ramsgate Borough Council recognizes the importance of this issue to residents and is committed to ensuring local concerns are represented openly and professionally.
“The council will continue to engage with relevant authorities and stakeholders to ensure that decisions regarding Manston Airport fully consider the impact on the Ramsgate community.”
