MANSTON -3
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Location: EGMH..a down, not yet out, formerly awesome airfield
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Manston had regular flights from Cargolux using their latest 747-8s until closure, more than one a day on some days. Plus other cargo only carriers including Atlas etc
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The Future of Manston Airport – an opinion
Sir Roger Gale MP
Sir Howard Davies` recently published report on the future of hub airport capacity in the South East has set out, if not definitively, some very clear and prioritised options, designed specifically to help London compete with, amongst other, Schiphol, Frankfurt and Charles de Gaulle in the global competition for hub airport business. Following Sir Howard's report, the Government has indicated that a formal and final decision will be announced by the end of this year.
Nobody should be surprised that airports such as Manston did not receive recommendation from Sir Howard. Manston never has been and never will be in the hub airport league. Those that suggest otherwise clearly have little or no grasp of the aviation industry
However it is clear that, between a decision being announced and an aircraft actually touching down on a new runway – whether at Heathrow or Gatwick – there lies some fifteen years of land acquisition, design, public inquiry, demolition and construction. During that time UK PLC will be losing business to our international competitors unless we take advantage of every interim option available to us.
It is within this context that Manston Airport needs to be seen as a crucial national as well as a regional asset.
Manston Airport is and remains the preferred option for Bristow`s Straits of Dover Air/Sea Rescue service. It also offers potential as the major South East diversion airfield - a role currently but not indefinitely undertaken by a Stansted that is ill-equipped for the task because of its other commitments. Perhaps most crucially, in terms of the ongoing capacity problem, only Manston has the potential to accommodate large freight aircraft, thus freeing up significant space at each of our South Eastern passenger airports. Once up and running it can also offer charter, general aviation, package holidays and potentially some scheduled low-cost passenger services as well. All of that, taken together, makes this a facility that the country cannot afford to lose, and that is why politicians at the most senior level of Government have recognised the case for Manston to remain an airfield.
It was I suppose inevitable that those seeking to capitalise on Manston Airport for other purposes should in desperation resort to black propaganda, smear and innuendo in an attempt to protect what they regard as “their” property, and to exploit what they believe to be its value as a piece of real estate. (I will take no lessons in “misleading” from people who are so cheapskate and inefficient that they have found it necessary to resort to the unauthorised use of another company's copyright material to illustrate their “masterplan” – a concoction which I believe that, using my skills as a journalist and perhaps the assistance of one of Hartsdown Academy`s excellent graphics students, I could have knocked out in the course of a working day).
The facts are, I think, as follows:
Thanet has too many hectares of unused potential industrial space already and some of that land will need to be hived off as a substitute for the proposed use of Grade One agricultural land for housing in the draft local plan. Additionally, the much vaunted “Discovery Park” has considerable unfilled capacity remaining available. Any use of Manston Airport for industrial purposes would inevitably compete with existing under used sites such as the KCC-owned Manston Business Park adjacent to the airport and China Gateway. Self evidently, there is simply no need for additional industrial space in Thanet either now or for the foreseeable future.
Moreover, Thanet`s housing need is already over-provided for in the local plan. Unless the Island is to become a dumping ground for London`s overspill, then house building, beyond our immediate local needs, has to be matched against employment opportunities. Taking into account this context, it is clear that there is simply no need to use land at Manston Airport for housing.
Turning to leisure options, I have looked in the past at companies which might invest in leisure facilities – Centerparcs was one such – and the harsh reality is that major investment requires a significant catchment area. Three quarters of Thanet`s catchment area is water. This has always deterred the largest leisure companies in the past and it will, I believe continue to deter them in the future. Dreamland and the Turner contemporary, as day attractions, most certainly have their part to play, but the concept of a Disney-scale development is pie in the sky.
I have been approached by a company which has an outline proposal for a film studio. Thanet certainly offers great potential for location film-making and we should promote the whole area as such. A sound-stage complex, though, as I know from my past experience working for Universal Films and in television, is a very different beast. While there is some demand for additional space, Pinewood Studios, the owners of the ‘stolen’ copyright picture, are already creating additional capacity to take up that slack. Those facilities will be on stream by next year.
There is also the small matter of the local plan. Whatever name those in present control of the site may seek to impose, in a crass attempt to erase Manston`s proud name from the map, Manston is designated as an airport in the current local plan. Unless and until a fresh draft local plan, has been published - taking account of all of the objections that have been lodged in respect of the first draft, the results of a further consultation, Inspector`s report and recommendations by the Secretary of State, all of which will take at least two years – Manston is, and remains, signed off for use only as an airport and for aviation - related purposes. That will not be changed in the foreseeable future.
In short, I do not believe that a consortium which has generated only a few new (as distinct from transferred-in) jobs at Discovery Park, and which has manifestly not delivered on the promised 10,000 jobs at Wynyard Park on Teesside, is going to generate, even within a proposed 20-year timespan, a faction of the blue-sky proposals that have been published to date.
By contrast there is, as I have already shown, an urgent need for Manston as an operational airport. Although the site has been stripped in an attempt to reduce its operational capacity, most of the damage is superficial and can be rectified, albeit at a cost, relatively easily and swiftly. There is a company, RiverOak, who originally offered the owner, Mrs. Gloag, the full £7 million asking price before the airport closed. That offer was rejected for reasons that I suggested to the Select Committee when it conducted its inquiry in the last parliament. I hope and expect that the new Select Committee, under the same chairman, will be offering Messrs Cartner and Musgrave and Ms. Gloag in person, and Cllr. Carter, the opportunity to respond to some key questions which remain unanswered. RiverOak remain ready, willing and able to take over the airport, to make the necessary investment to return it to operational capacity and to recommence commercial traffic. The Secretary of State for Transport has indicated at a recent meeting with Craig Mackinlay and myself, that once the requirements have been met, he will ensure that the CAA operating license is reinstated.
RiverOak has already deposited funds in a UK bank in order to meet the immediate needs of Thanet District Council as soon as an indemnity agreement is signed. More funds, as necessary, will follow and I have met personally with directors of the company and with investors who are, I believe, of sufficient substance to bring the project to fruition.
It has been said that “Manston has always failed as an airport so why should RiverOak succeed?” Setting aside the fact that no company of any significance would be prepared to invest the millions of pounds necessary to restore full facilities at Manston unless they believed that it was going to work, the RiverOak business model is fundamentally different from that of its predecessors. They intend to ensure that the financial base of the Airport is sound and sufficiently well-capitalised over a long enough period to make the business pay. That business will be based, first, upon a cargo hub and aviation related enterprises that are not seasonally sensitive. As and when – but only when – the revenue stream is established on a rock solid commercial footing they will then return to the passenger traffic and other flying operations which will provide the icing on the cake. Riveroak have stuck with this project and this concept for this long because they believe in it. And if they are prepared to have faith in their ability, in the teeth of some very adverse and hostile opposition, then so am I.
Finally, let us examine the political mandate for the process necessary to restore Manston Airport to its rightful place in our bank of national assets.
Thanet`s two Members of Parliament were both elected on a clear undertaking to seek to deliver Manston as a working airport again. Add to those votes the ballots cast in favour of two UKIP candidates, each of whom stood on a pro-Airport ticket and there is an overwhelming majority, at a parliamentary level, to re-open Manston Airport.
Next, consider Thanet`s District Council. The UKIP Mandate was practically single-issue: vote UKIP and we will instigate a Compulsory Purchase Order on Manston. UKIP was elected to control Thanet Council with a very significant majority, and the second -largest Party, the Conservatives, were also elected on a pro-Manston Airport ticket.
Kent County Council, notwithstanding the recent antics of its present Leader, has also voted unanimously - without the conditions subsequently superimposed by Cllr. Carter - to give political support to TDC in any CPO bid that the latter saw fit to make.
Finally, there is significant recognition and support, from Downing Street and from the Department of Transport, for the locally expressed determination to see planes flying once again, and generating business from Manston.
Thanet Council, having engaged with appropriate legal advice, now has the opportunity and the political support at every level – I have made my own clear as have others – to instigate the Compulsory Purchase process. There will, inevitably, be a public inquiry at which all of the most searching questions will have to be asked and answered. The Inspector will then submit his findings to the Secretary of State for Local Government and the latter will exercise his judgement. I hope and believe that the Leader of Thanet Council and his Cabinet can, with the wholehearted support of my Conservative Council colleagues, finally deliver what the people of East Kent have conclusively voted for: the re-opening of Manston Airport and the opening of a new chapter in the history of aviation in the South East.
July, 2015.
--
SUZY GALE
Office of Sir Roger Gale MP - MP for Margate, Herne Bay & The Villages
Sir Roger Gale MP
Sir Howard Davies` recently published report on the future of hub airport capacity in the South East has set out, if not definitively, some very clear and prioritised options, designed specifically to help London compete with, amongst other, Schiphol, Frankfurt and Charles de Gaulle in the global competition for hub airport business. Following Sir Howard's report, the Government has indicated that a formal and final decision will be announced by the end of this year.
Nobody should be surprised that airports such as Manston did not receive recommendation from Sir Howard. Manston never has been and never will be in the hub airport league. Those that suggest otherwise clearly have little or no grasp of the aviation industry
However it is clear that, between a decision being announced and an aircraft actually touching down on a new runway – whether at Heathrow or Gatwick – there lies some fifteen years of land acquisition, design, public inquiry, demolition and construction. During that time UK PLC will be losing business to our international competitors unless we take advantage of every interim option available to us.
It is within this context that Manston Airport needs to be seen as a crucial national as well as a regional asset.
Manston Airport is and remains the preferred option for Bristow`s Straits of Dover Air/Sea Rescue service. It also offers potential as the major South East diversion airfield - a role currently but not indefinitely undertaken by a Stansted that is ill-equipped for the task because of its other commitments. Perhaps most crucially, in terms of the ongoing capacity problem, only Manston has the potential to accommodate large freight aircraft, thus freeing up significant space at each of our South Eastern passenger airports. Once up and running it can also offer charter, general aviation, package holidays and potentially some scheduled low-cost passenger services as well. All of that, taken together, makes this a facility that the country cannot afford to lose, and that is why politicians at the most senior level of Government have recognised the case for Manston to remain an airfield.
It was I suppose inevitable that those seeking to capitalise on Manston Airport for other purposes should in desperation resort to black propaganda, smear and innuendo in an attempt to protect what they regard as “their” property, and to exploit what they believe to be its value as a piece of real estate. (I will take no lessons in “misleading” from people who are so cheapskate and inefficient that they have found it necessary to resort to the unauthorised use of another company's copyright material to illustrate their “masterplan” – a concoction which I believe that, using my skills as a journalist and perhaps the assistance of one of Hartsdown Academy`s excellent graphics students, I could have knocked out in the course of a working day).
The facts are, I think, as follows:
Thanet has too many hectares of unused potential industrial space already and some of that land will need to be hived off as a substitute for the proposed use of Grade One agricultural land for housing in the draft local plan. Additionally, the much vaunted “Discovery Park” has considerable unfilled capacity remaining available. Any use of Manston Airport for industrial purposes would inevitably compete with existing under used sites such as the KCC-owned Manston Business Park adjacent to the airport and China Gateway. Self evidently, there is simply no need for additional industrial space in Thanet either now or for the foreseeable future.
Moreover, Thanet`s housing need is already over-provided for in the local plan. Unless the Island is to become a dumping ground for London`s overspill, then house building, beyond our immediate local needs, has to be matched against employment opportunities. Taking into account this context, it is clear that there is simply no need to use land at Manston Airport for housing.
Turning to leisure options, I have looked in the past at companies which might invest in leisure facilities – Centerparcs was one such – and the harsh reality is that major investment requires a significant catchment area. Three quarters of Thanet`s catchment area is water. This has always deterred the largest leisure companies in the past and it will, I believe continue to deter them in the future. Dreamland and the Turner contemporary, as day attractions, most certainly have their part to play, but the concept of a Disney-scale development is pie in the sky.
I have been approached by a company which has an outline proposal for a film studio. Thanet certainly offers great potential for location film-making and we should promote the whole area as such. A sound-stage complex, though, as I know from my past experience working for Universal Films and in television, is a very different beast. While there is some demand for additional space, Pinewood Studios, the owners of the ‘stolen’ copyright picture, are already creating additional capacity to take up that slack. Those facilities will be on stream by next year.
There is also the small matter of the local plan. Whatever name those in present control of the site may seek to impose, in a crass attempt to erase Manston`s proud name from the map, Manston is designated as an airport in the current local plan. Unless and until a fresh draft local plan, has been published - taking account of all of the objections that have been lodged in respect of the first draft, the results of a further consultation, Inspector`s report and recommendations by the Secretary of State, all of which will take at least two years – Manston is, and remains, signed off for use only as an airport and for aviation - related purposes. That will not be changed in the foreseeable future.
In short, I do not believe that a consortium which has generated only a few new (as distinct from transferred-in) jobs at Discovery Park, and which has manifestly not delivered on the promised 10,000 jobs at Wynyard Park on Teesside, is going to generate, even within a proposed 20-year timespan, a faction of the blue-sky proposals that have been published to date.
By contrast there is, as I have already shown, an urgent need for Manston as an operational airport. Although the site has been stripped in an attempt to reduce its operational capacity, most of the damage is superficial and can be rectified, albeit at a cost, relatively easily and swiftly. There is a company, RiverOak, who originally offered the owner, Mrs. Gloag, the full £7 million asking price before the airport closed. That offer was rejected for reasons that I suggested to the Select Committee when it conducted its inquiry in the last parliament. I hope and expect that the new Select Committee, under the same chairman, will be offering Messrs Cartner and Musgrave and Ms. Gloag in person, and Cllr. Carter, the opportunity to respond to some key questions which remain unanswered. RiverOak remain ready, willing and able to take over the airport, to make the necessary investment to return it to operational capacity and to recommence commercial traffic. The Secretary of State for Transport has indicated at a recent meeting with Craig Mackinlay and myself, that once the requirements have been met, he will ensure that the CAA operating license is reinstated.
RiverOak has already deposited funds in a UK bank in order to meet the immediate needs of Thanet District Council as soon as an indemnity agreement is signed. More funds, as necessary, will follow and I have met personally with directors of the company and with investors who are, I believe, of sufficient substance to bring the project to fruition.
It has been said that “Manston has always failed as an airport so why should RiverOak succeed?” Setting aside the fact that no company of any significance would be prepared to invest the millions of pounds necessary to restore full facilities at Manston unless they believed that it was going to work, the RiverOak business model is fundamentally different from that of its predecessors. They intend to ensure that the financial base of the Airport is sound and sufficiently well-capitalised over a long enough period to make the business pay. That business will be based, first, upon a cargo hub and aviation related enterprises that are not seasonally sensitive. As and when – but only when – the revenue stream is established on a rock solid commercial footing they will then return to the passenger traffic and other flying operations which will provide the icing on the cake. Riveroak have stuck with this project and this concept for this long because they believe in it. And if they are prepared to have faith in their ability, in the teeth of some very adverse and hostile opposition, then so am I.
Finally, let us examine the political mandate for the process necessary to restore Manston Airport to its rightful place in our bank of national assets.
Thanet`s two Members of Parliament were both elected on a clear undertaking to seek to deliver Manston as a working airport again. Add to those votes the ballots cast in favour of two UKIP candidates, each of whom stood on a pro-Airport ticket and there is an overwhelming majority, at a parliamentary level, to re-open Manston Airport.
Next, consider Thanet`s District Council. The UKIP Mandate was practically single-issue: vote UKIP and we will instigate a Compulsory Purchase Order on Manston. UKIP was elected to control Thanet Council with a very significant majority, and the second -largest Party, the Conservatives, were also elected on a pro-Manston Airport ticket.
Kent County Council, notwithstanding the recent antics of its present Leader, has also voted unanimously - without the conditions subsequently superimposed by Cllr. Carter - to give political support to TDC in any CPO bid that the latter saw fit to make.
Finally, there is significant recognition and support, from Downing Street and from the Department of Transport, for the locally expressed determination to see planes flying once again, and generating business from Manston.
Thanet Council, having engaged with appropriate legal advice, now has the opportunity and the political support at every level – I have made my own clear as have others – to instigate the Compulsory Purchase process. There will, inevitably, be a public inquiry at which all of the most searching questions will have to be asked and answered. The Inspector will then submit his findings to the Secretary of State for Local Government and the latter will exercise his judgement. I hope and believe that the Leader of Thanet Council and his Cabinet can, with the wholehearted support of my Conservative Council colleagues, finally deliver what the people of East Kent have conclusively voted for: the re-opening of Manston Airport and the opening of a new chapter in the history of aviation in the South East.
July, 2015.
--
SUZY GALE
Office of Sir Roger Gale MP - MP for Margate, Herne Bay & The Villages
Firstly, let me say that I have no vested interest in Manston remaining as an airport or being closed. Sentimentally, I would like to see it remain as an airport- & a profitable one at that.
However, I cannot agree with Roger Gale's reasons to keep it open.
There is no likelihood of Manston playing any part as an "overspill" London airport until whichever new development ('LL or 'KK) comes on stream.
It may well be the "Base of Choice" for SAR; but, neither that, training flights nor being a "Master Diversion Airport" is going to pay any of the bills necessary to keep it open.
Is it not the case that aircraft which need to divert in emergency situations do not pay landing fees ? I'm not sure, but I thought that was the case.
The other prospect is freight. Manston has already tried that &, as far as I am aware, failed.
The only income stream that could keep Manston open, & profitable, would be some sort of housing &/or industrial development on a large part of the aerodrome.
Those who advocate a successful future solely as an airport are sadly disillusioned !
However, I cannot agree with Roger Gale's reasons to keep it open.
There is no likelihood of Manston playing any part as an "overspill" London airport until whichever new development ('LL or 'KK) comes on stream.
It may well be the "Base of Choice" for SAR; but, neither that, training flights nor being a "Master Diversion Airport" is going to pay any of the bills necessary to keep it open.
Is it not the case that aircraft which need to divert in emergency situations do not pay landing fees ? I'm not sure, but I thought that was the case.
The other prospect is freight. Manston has already tried that &, as far as I am aware, failed.
The only income stream that could keep Manston open, & profitable, would be some sort of housing &/or industrial development on a large part of the aerodrome.
Those who advocate a successful future solely as an airport are sadly disillusioned !
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Finally a use for Manston other than housing for "exile" Londoners.
"A former airport site could be used as a temporary lorry park to relieve congestion caused by Operation Stack, Kent County Council's leader has said."
M20 Operation Stack: Manston airport lorry plan 'could ease congestion' - BBC News
"A former airport site could be used as a temporary lorry park to relieve congestion caused by Operation Stack, Kent County Council's leader has said."
M20 Operation Stack: Manston airport lorry plan 'could ease congestion' - BBC News
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I really hope that Manston can start agains as a operating airport. However from a licensing side the airport has been closed for a while and likely to be so for a while longer. Therefore the airfield, would in effect be a 'greenfield' start up and would need to meet all the current airport operating regulations. Any 'grandfather' rights that were utilised before would be null and void. This is likely to be a long, painful and expensive business. Whilst the Secretary of State may wish to implement the the airfield licence that fact remains that CAA SARG will need to be satisfied that the airfield has meet all the current regulations before issuing said license.
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TDC Cabinet have agreed to TDC Council request to look at CPO again, and have decided to engage contract external lawyers to advise on the suitability of RiverOak as a CPO partner, and to provide advice on the indemnity agreement and CPO process.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QErjZyEGQrQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QErjZyEGQrQ
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Manston Airport - our feet are now further down the CPO Path !
A bit over a month ago, I wrote “finally the Compulsory Purchase Order process for Manston Airport is at last on its way; our feet are now on the CPO Path”.
Now on Bastille Day, we have passed a further significant Way Marker.
The first TDC Council meeting on the 21st May was immediately followed by an Extraordinary Council meeting the same evening, on Manston Airport. Proposed by new TDC Council Leader Chris Wells :
"For Council to recommend that Cabinet review its position on Manston Airport, taking into account any relevant changes in circumstances since 2014."
Passed with 52 for, none against and just 4 abstentions from the old Labour guard; 93% in favour.
On that day we left the first Way Marker behind us marked : TDC Extraordinary Council 2015-05-21 …..
The next Way Marker inscriptions were the publication of the PwC Report, Thursday 2015-06-25 : This was critical of the previous TDC decisions, and offered suggestions on what still needed to be done to ensure a successful CPO.
On Bastille Day, 2015-07-14, we have passed a further significant Way Marker :
The new TDC Cabinet have met and in a brisk meeting have agreed to the TDC Full Council request to look at CPO again, and have decided to engage contract external lawyers to advise on the suitability of RiverOak as a CPO partner, and to provide advice on the indemnity agreement and CPO process.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QErjZyEGQrQ
The next Way Marker will be the naming of the Lawyers chosen.
- Save Manston.
Dr. Beau Webber
Chairman, Save Manston Airport association.
A bit over a month ago, I wrote “finally the Compulsory Purchase Order process for Manston Airport is at last on its way; our feet are now on the CPO Path”.
Now on Bastille Day, we have passed a further significant Way Marker.
The first TDC Council meeting on the 21st May was immediately followed by an Extraordinary Council meeting the same evening, on Manston Airport. Proposed by new TDC Council Leader Chris Wells :
"For Council to recommend that Cabinet review its position on Manston Airport, taking into account any relevant changes in circumstances since 2014."
Passed with 52 for, none against and just 4 abstentions from the old Labour guard; 93% in favour.
On that day we left the first Way Marker behind us marked : TDC Extraordinary Council 2015-05-21 …..
The next Way Marker inscriptions were the publication of the PwC Report, Thursday 2015-06-25 : This was critical of the previous TDC decisions, and offered suggestions on what still needed to be done to ensure a successful CPO.
On Bastille Day, 2015-07-14, we have passed a further significant Way Marker :
The new TDC Cabinet have met and in a brisk meeting have agreed to the TDC Full Council request to look at CPO again, and have decided to engage contract external lawyers to advise on the suitability of RiverOak as a CPO partner, and to provide advice on the indemnity agreement and CPO process.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QErjZyEGQrQ
The next Way Marker will be the naming of the Lawyers chosen.
- Save Manston.
Dr. Beau Webber
Chairman, Save Manston Airport association.
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Government responds to the Transport Select Committee's recommendations.
Government Response
________________________________________
Introduction
The Government welcomes this opportunity to respond to the Transport Select Committee's recommendations on smaller airports.
House of Commons - Smaller airports - Transport
A brief summary and commentary :
Air Passenger Duty
Recommendations 2 - 5.
Response: Decisions on taxation, including APD, remain a matter for the Chancellor and the Treasury. The Treasury has confirmed that there will be a review of potential options to support regional airports and mitigate the impacts of APD devolution. As part of this review, a discussion paper will be published during the summer examining
Public Service Obligations
Recommendations 6 - 9.
Recommendation 9.
Response:
“…. Department for Transport guidance published in December 2013 clarified how the Government would ordinarily expect to interpret these criteria when assessing applications for PSOs to protect existing regional air services to London. …..”
“The tender process must make it clear that the PSO being considered is about serving the London region rather than a specific airport in London.”
"For the purpose of this policy a London airport has been defined as any airport that can access London transport zone 1 within 60 minutes by rail - (i.e. : Gatwick, Heathrow, London City, Luton, Southend and Stansted airports)."
Actually you cannot get to Southend in an hour by rail - it takes same / longer than Manston !
Manston by rail ( 1h 15m at quickest) is same time as Southend ( 1h 15m at quickest). (National Rail)
Lydd, at 1hr 50m (Google) does not qualify as a London Airport by the Government's criterion.
Case study: Manston
Recommendation 15. That the DfT judged it necessary to intervene in the Manston case shows the extent to which Kent County Council failed to fulfil its strategic oversight role. (Paragraph 53)
Response: County Councils only have limited planning functions, mainly in relation to minerals, waste and planning applications for their own development. The Government does not therefore consider that a county council has a duty to provide strategic planning oversight for a district council. The primary responsibility for planning the future of strategically important assets, such as Manston Airport, rests with the local planning authority.
Recommendation 16.
Response: ………
The National Planning Policy Framework refers to local planning authorities setting out strategic priorities in local plans for the provision of various things including jobs, commercial development and infrastructure. Furthermore district and county councils have a statutory duty to cooperate with each other in the preparations of plans by a local planning authority The National Planning Policy Framework also instructs local planning authorities to work with other authorities and providers to assess the quality and capacity of infrastructure for transport. . The Government expects local authorities within an area to work together in this, as in other contexts.
Recommendation 18. The DfT should review what powers it has to intervene in cases where strategic transport assets are at risk and whether those powers are fit for purpose. (Paragraph 56)
Response: As we advised the Committee, our view is that we have the powers that we need to intervene in cases where strategic aviation assets are at risk. With regard to strategic transport assets more generally, common law powers are generally available to Ministers in any department to take steps to promote and pursue government policy. These powers are always subject to any statutory and other constraints which may happen to apply in a specific context. We do not consider that there is evidence that a review of the scope and fitness of these powers is necessary.
Lots more detail in the full response.
Dr. Beau Webber
Save Manston Airport association.
Government Response
________________________________________
Introduction
The Government welcomes this opportunity to respond to the Transport Select Committee's recommendations on smaller airports.
House of Commons - Smaller airports - Transport
A brief summary and commentary :
Air Passenger Duty
Recommendations 2 - 5.
Response: Decisions on taxation, including APD, remain a matter for the Chancellor and the Treasury. The Treasury has confirmed that there will be a review of potential options to support regional airports and mitigate the impacts of APD devolution. As part of this review, a discussion paper will be published during the summer examining
Public Service Obligations
Recommendations 6 - 9.
Recommendation 9.
Response:
“…. Department for Transport guidance published in December 2013 clarified how the Government would ordinarily expect to interpret these criteria when assessing applications for PSOs to protect existing regional air services to London. …..”
“The tender process must make it clear that the PSO being considered is about serving the London region rather than a specific airport in London.”
"For the purpose of this policy a London airport has been defined as any airport that can access London transport zone 1 within 60 minutes by rail - (i.e. : Gatwick, Heathrow, London City, Luton, Southend and Stansted airports)."
Actually you cannot get to Southend in an hour by rail - it takes same / longer than Manston !
Manston by rail ( 1h 15m at quickest) is same time as Southend ( 1h 15m at quickest). (National Rail)
Lydd, at 1hr 50m (Google) does not qualify as a London Airport by the Government's criterion.
Case study: Manston
Recommendation 15. That the DfT judged it necessary to intervene in the Manston case shows the extent to which Kent County Council failed to fulfil its strategic oversight role. (Paragraph 53)
Response: County Councils only have limited planning functions, mainly in relation to minerals, waste and planning applications for their own development. The Government does not therefore consider that a county council has a duty to provide strategic planning oversight for a district council. The primary responsibility for planning the future of strategically important assets, such as Manston Airport, rests with the local planning authority.
Recommendation 16.
Response: ………
The National Planning Policy Framework refers to local planning authorities setting out strategic priorities in local plans for the provision of various things including jobs, commercial development and infrastructure. Furthermore district and county councils have a statutory duty to cooperate with each other in the preparations of plans by a local planning authority The National Planning Policy Framework also instructs local planning authorities to work with other authorities and providers to assess the quality and capacity of infrastructure for transport. . The Government expects local authorities within an area to work together in this, as in other contexts.
Recommendation 18. The DfT should review what powers it has to intervene in cases where strategic transport assets are at risk and whether those powers are fit for purpose. (Paragraph 56)
Response: As we advised the Committee, our view is that we have the powers that we need to intervene in cases where strategic aviation assets are at risk. With regard to strategic transport assets more generally, common law powers are generally available to Ministers in any department to take steps to promote and pursue government policy. These powers are always subject to any statutory and other constraints which may happen to apply in a specific context. We do not consider that there is evidence that a review of the scope and fitness of these powers is necessary.
Lots more detail in the full response.
Dr. Beau Webber
Save Manston Airport association.
Last edited by DrBeauWebber; 24th Jul 2015 at 12:44. Reason: additional information
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You are looking at the wrong line, I think. The journey time from London Liverpool Street to Southend Airport station is 53 minutes. Journey time from Stratford station to Southend Airport is 44 minutes.
But do carry on spinning. It's such fun to watch......
and there's more...
You can get to Appledore station, 10 miles from Lydd, in 55 mins with a change at Ashford.
You can get to Minster station, 2.4 miles from Manston, in 1hr 20 mins with a change in Ashford
Taken from the National Rail journey planner and Google Maps - all journeys available in the next hour
You can get to Appledore station, 10 miles from Lydd, in 55 mins with a change at Ashford.
You can get to Minster station, 2.4 miles from Manston, in 1hr 20 mins with a change in Ashford
Taken from the National Rail journey planner and Google Maps - all journeys available in the next hour
Join Date: Jul 2012
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Err Freight?
Again this post has been swallowed up with the 'nay' Sayers.
The point of 'pro' posters is freight and having seen with mine own eyes
a fully freighted B747 with up to 17 Artics neatly lined up, ready to
swallow up the disgorge, plus various DC8's (Egypt air cargo) also
ready to pass on their goodies (dates and other such niceties') and others,to awaiting vehicles leads me to conclude that most people that come on this thread haven't got a rats arse about what their talking about.
For all you Thomas the Tank engine fans out there look at Google maps
and 'Whey hey'..Behold you will find that the B2190 comes directly from the bonded (ex)warehouse to connect within two miles to the A253 (dual carriageway plus motorway ALL the way to London) or if required swing
a left at the roundabout onto the A299 (also duelled) to the port of Ramsgate.. or Dover..or Folkestone.
Or how about being brave and talk to the massive hub of DHL down in
Maidstone.
Trains? How many airports in the U.K. actually have direct railway link
to terminal..last time I was in Luton (couple of weeks ago) had to get the
bus which used to be courtesy but now you have to pay for! And that's
one of our 'recognized' hubs
So for all you brownsite sniffers,faraway armchair experts and general nay sayers..YES.. it really is true..Manston airport could survive as a
freight hub..albeit with a more projected view towards its future and
less in-house squabbling with local politicians
Dr Beau Webber..I salute you..keep up the good work Sir..
and please,please don't let the 'Begrudging and bitching' make you falter from your cause
The point of 'pro' posters is freight and having seen with mine own eyes
a fully freighted B747 with up to 17 Artics neatly lined up, ready to
swallow up the disgorge, plus various DC8's (Egypt air cargo) also
ready to pass on their goodies (dates and other such niceties') and others,to awaiting vehicles leads me to conclude that most people that come on this thread haven't got a rats arse about what their talking about.
For all you Thomas the Tank engine fans out there look at Google maps
and 'Whey hey'..Behold you will find that the B2190 comes directly from the bonded (ex)warehouse to connect within two miles to the A253 (dual carriageway plus motorway ALL the way to London) or if required swing
a left at the roundabout onto the A299 (also duelled) to the port of Ramsgate.. or Dover..or Folkestone.
Or how about being brave and talk to the massive hub of DHL down in
Maidstone.
Trains? How many airports in the U.K. actually have direct railway link
to terminal..last time I was in Luton (couple of weeks ago) had to get the
bus which used to be courtesy but now you have to pay for! And that's
one of our 'recognized' hubs
So for all you brownsite sniffers,faraway armchair experts and general nay sayers..YES.. it really is true..Manston airport could survive as a
freight hub..albeit with a more projected view towards its future and
less in-house squabbling with local politicians
Dr Beau Webber..I salute you..keep up the good work Sir..
and please,please don't let the 'Begrudging and bitching' make you falter from your cause
Join Date: Dec 2011
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Air Passenger Duty
Recommendations 2 - 5.
Response: Decisions on taxation, including APD, remain a matter for the Chancellor and the Treasury. The Treasury has confirmed that there will be a review of potential options to support regional airports and mitigate the impacts of APD devolution. As part of this review, a discussion paper will be published during the summer examining