Night-time flying policy for Manston Airport

Public consultation now closed

1. Consultation overview

Thanet District Council was asked by Infratil to comment on their proposals for regular night-time flying at Manston Airport.

Before drafting a response, Thanet District Council wanted to give members of the public an opportunity to have their say on the proposals.

The feedback from this consultation will then be used, along with the findings of an independent assessment to help draft the council's response to ensure it takes into account the views of local people.

Legal advice has confirmed that, at this stage, the council is only being asked to provide a response to the proposals and the council is not in a position to make a decision on the night time flying policy at this stage.

2. Background information

The proposals were submitted by Infratil, owners of the airport, on 27 October 2011 and included an aircraft noise assessment report and economic assessment, which are technical reports explaining the implications of the proposal.

After receiving the documents from Infratil, the council then commissioned specialists Parsons Brinckerhoff Ltd, to carry out an independent assessment of the proposals and technical details to review the environmental and economic impacts.  This report was submitted to the council’s Community Services Manager, Madeline Homer on Thursday 19 January and was completed by specialists, Parsons Brinckerhoff Ltd.

• View the documents submitted by Infratil in October 2011 
• View the independent assessment completed by Parsons Brinckerhoff (pdf, 367kb)
• Find out more about the previous proposal from Infratil - submitted in September 2010

3. When was the consultation carried out?

The consultation was open from Friday 3 February to Friday 2 March 2012.

4. Who was consulting?

Thanet District Council was consulting on proposals received from the owners of Manston Airport, Infratil.

5. Who was consulted?

This consultation was open to all members of the public as well as Town and Parish Councils, Chambers of Commerce, Community and Residents Associations and Special Interest Groups established in Thanet.

Please note - responses received from residents within the Canterbury City Council boundary were shared with Canterbury City Council.

6. How was the consultation carried out?

• Members of the public were invited to comment on the proposals. 
• All comments had to be submitted in writing to the council offices or by e-mail to consultation@thanet.gov.uk
• All responses had to include a full name and address, including a postcode.  These details will be kept strictly confidential and will only be used to analyse the feedback based on geographic area. This is so that particular attention can be paid to those directly affected by the airport's proposals (those living under the identified flight path).
• Any responses submitted after the closing date (Friday 2 March) were not accepted.

7. How was the consultation promoted?

The consultation was promoted across the district to ensure that as many people as possible were made aware.

This included:

• Adverts placed in free local newspapers
• Press briefing and news releases issued to all local and regional press and media contacts
• E-mails and letters sent to hundreds of local resident associations and to community interest groups
• Letters sent to all Ward and Parish Councillors
• Information available to view on the council’s website - with web banner at the top of every page
• Proposal documents available to view in Thanet's Gateway Plus and at the council's Ramsgate District Office. 

8. What were the results?

2,275 responses were received, which included a full address and postcode.

The majority were opposed to the implementation of regular night-time flying, with approximately 73% opposed, 26% in favour and 1% not clearly stating a position. 

The main reasons given by those who were opposed were:

• the likely disturbance to sleep
• the effect on health and quality of life
• unacceptable noise levels
• the likely detrimental impact on the local economy
• overstating the potential economic benefits.

Those in favour stated the reasons for their support as including:

• jobs/employment opportunities
• regeneration of Thanet
• their desire for the airport to develop
• night flights needed to ensure the future viability of the airport
• airport has been there for many years.

9. What happened next?

Before submitting a response to Infratil on the proposals, Councillors considered the following things:

1) The results to the public consultation

2) The findings from the Independent Assessment from Parsons Brinckerhoff

3) The proposals from Infratil

Councillors considered each of the above at the following meetings:

• Airport Working Party - Wednesday 4 April 2012
• Overview and Scrutiny - Tuesday 24 April 2012
• Cabinet - Thursday 10 May 2012
• Extraordinary Full Council - Thursday 24 May 2012

10. What was the council's response?

Members took three votes on recommendations from Cabinet (following their meeting on Thursday 10 May). All three recommendations, as detailed below, were approved:

1. That subject to any further comments that Council may wish to make, Council agrees the consultation response to Manston airport’s night time flying policy as set out at Annex 1 of the report.
2. That Council confirms that Thanet District Council fully supports the day-time operation of Manston Airport but further recommends that as a Consultee, the Council cannot support the introduction of scheduled night-time flying operations between 23:00 hours and 07:00 hours for the following reasons:

a)    The council’s consultation shows 73% of respondents are opposed to night-time flying;

b)    Noise and environmental impacts are underestimated;

c)    The number of jobs generated and the economic benefits may be overestimated;

d)    The probable detrimental impact of night-time flying on Thanet’s recovering Tourism Industry;

e)    Concerns raised in the World Health Organisation’s assessment of the impacts of disturbed sleep;

f)     There is concern that the night-time flying proposals have not considered Article 8 of the Human Rights Act;

g)    The Airport would need to address whether the proposed night-time flying policy constitutes a ‘plan or project’ for the purposes of the Habitats Regulations and then follow the further requirements of those regulations as relevant.

3. That Council authorises the Director of Community Services in consultation with the Leader of the Council to provide final written comments to Manston Airport incorporating any amendments considered necessary.

View the minutes of the Extraordinary Full Council meeting held on 24 May 2012.

E-mail: consultation@thanet.gov.uk