I'm with 2 sheds on this. If there are going to be regular passenger carrying flights in and out of MC it is only reasonable for the passengers to get the protection of CAS. As a controller, I think Class D is wonderful (although I know not all of my brethren agree) because it enables VFR to carry on with little restriction when it's possible and for sensible handling of VFR/IFR mixes - note that I'm not suggesting that VFR and IFR should be separated.
The problem from an ATC point of view is the controllers and their managers who see the CAS as 'theirs' and only for the aircraft taking off or landing at the airport in question. A more appropriate view might be that they are there to manage the airspace so that everyone can do what they want as far as is consistent with providing the necessary protection for fare-paying passengers. It's unfortunate that those in the CAA who are responsible for establishing airspace appear to have little interest in ensuring that it is subsequently managed in a way that ensures access to GA when it's practical.