A Statement on Manston Airport from the 9300 Save Manston Airport members.
We have seen nothing to suggest that the rather rudimentary ‘plans’ recently pitched to the media by Messrs Cartner, Musgrave and Mallon amount to much more than spin, propaganda and wishful thinking. Within two days, it emerged that the ‘artist's impressions’ of the much hyped film studio were in fact copyright images belonging to Pinewood Studios, whose company name had been crudely airbrushed out. Unsurprisingly, Pinewood's lawyers have already demanded the image’s immediate removal. People can draw their own conclusions from that episode as to the credibility of any other ‘plans’ on offer. No evidence whatsoever has been presented that there is a demand for any of the mooted projects, thus what we have seen is no more than a few attractive (second hand) pictures, hastily cobbled together, perhaps in a forlorn attempt to fend off an impending Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO).
We in Thanet have of course been here before. Have we not learned by now to be skeptical of developers bearing gifts, and the foisting of unfunded and speculative property schemes on our area? The would be developers of Manston Airport, which they now insultingly call ‘Stone Hill Park’ – shame on them; a more crass and disrespectful affront to the memory of those who fought and perished at Manston is difficult to imagine – even they admit their latest scheme would require twenty years to implement, IF the necessary funding could be raised. Frankly, there are not huge grounds for optimism in that regard, given a recent BBC News investigation into Mr Musgrave and Mr Cartner’s development on Teeside. In any case Thanet cannot wait twenty years. It needs its airport open now.
Fortunately all this is somewhat academic, as we live in a democracy, and the people spoke unequivocally at the recent election. The vast majority voted for candidates and parties explicitly committed to reopening the airport, and so we take this opportunity to call upon Mrs Gloag, Ms Bradley, Mr Musgrave, Mr Cartner and Mr Mallon to heed the will of the electorate, “do the right thing” and negotiate an amicable sale The people have made it abundantly clear they do not want yet another half empty business park, or thousands of houses and vehicles clogging up the centre of their island. There is no doubt that, with investment and the right business plan, the airport can move forward to a bright and successful, aviation-based future. This is the only way to rapidly bring the high quality jobs and international connections Thanet so desperately needs, and to ease the currently unsustainable burden on airport capacity in the South East. Riveroak - a company led by entrepreneurs with a global reputation - have remained committed to their vision of a reinvigorated Manston airport for well over a year, despite many setbacks, because the business case is sound. They are backed by companies of international repute who agree with their judgment. Cargo companies and a major aeronautical manufacturer are already on board in anticipation of the airport reopening. KLM were very happy with the way their Schipol shuttle service was developing, company emails show they would have stayed on at Manston had they not been "stabbed in the back" ( their phrase) by the closure of the airport. Paul Barber, MD of Discovery Park, has expressed strong support for the airport, and said “If we are going to promote Kent as a world-wide location and don’t have an international airport, then you are at a disadvantage.” And with Central Government backing now explicitly forthcoming, the prospects for a speedy reopening are extremely good.
Mr Mallon and his friends accuse the airport’s many supporters of being driven by emotion and sentiment. We find this patronizing and offensive. It’s undoubtedly true that Manston holds a unique and cherished place in the hearts of Thanet people, it having protected, inspired, educated, employed, energized and thrilled them for almost a century. Such a powerful social legacy cannot, should not and will not be erased at the stroke of a speculators pen. And there is anger too, at the way local workers and businesses have been treated, and the arcane and opaque methods apparently used to acquire the land. But there is also a steely determination and a clear headed logic at work, which sees through the pretty pictures and sales talk and says, “No, we have been here before, and we don’t get fooled again”. That is the well rounded, highly rational and media-savvy perspective, borne from past experience, which we saw expressed so clearly at the recent local elections. How dare this latest wave of would-be developers presume to ride roughshod over the well informed, democratic will of the people.
Thanet has an amazing history and a long collective memory, and with its airport reopened it will have a bright and hopeful future. Amidst the current uncertainties, there are perhaps few things which can be said with absolute confidence other than that, should our efforts fail, and should our iconic and much loved Manston Aerodrome be destroyed and built over by speculators, those responsible will never, ever be forgiven or forgotten by the people of this Isle.
Save Manston