Hi guys, the routing is basically due to the airways available.
Although MME has controlled airspace immediately around it there are no airways that join this airspace. The route the aircraft must normally take to join upper controlled airspace is effectively following the rwy 23 centreline to join north of leeds (with so RAF a/c dodging on the way !).
The STAR (standard arrival routing) into LHR from the north comes in from oxford way to dodge luton / stansted.
Its all really to do with a lot of airfields in a small country - you should try the arrival to LTN from the south when they are using 08 - I almost got dizzy last time i did that !