An application to quash the development consent order for Manston airport plans to go ahead has been denied.
The DCO was initially granted in July 2020 when the Department of Transport approved the application to create an air freight hub at the site.
It was quashed in the High Court in February 2021 following a legal challenge launched by Ramsgate resident Jenny Dawes and supporters which resulted in the Secretary of State conceding the decision approval letter issued from the Minister of State did not contain enough detail.
The DCO was granted for a second time in August 2022 by then Transport Minister Karl McCartney.
In response Ms Dawes launched a second Judicial Review application in a bid to halt the airport plans and crowdfunded £75,000 in pledges to pay for the action.
The judicial review application was initially dismissed by Mr Justice Lane in January but then allowed on partial grounds in a review by Mrs Justice Lieven in March.
At a hearing before Honourable Mr Justice Ian Dove in July the focus was on the process for two areas -whether need for the airport was correctly assessed and whether due consideration was given to what impact the scheme might have on the Government’s ability to meet its future carbon reduction targets.
Barristers representing the Claimant Jenny Dawes, the Defendant the Secretary of State for Transport and the Interested Party RiverOak Strategic Partners put their cases to the judge.
Mr Justice Dove has now issued a lengthy judgement dismissing the application. At the end of the judgement he says: “I am not persuaded that either of the claimant’s (Ms Dawes) grounds are made out in substance and therefore this application for judicial review must be dismissed.”
Ms Dawes says she plans to appeal the judgement.
Read the judgement here
RSP wants to create aviation at the site with a cargo freight hub and associated business. Construction is planned to be phased over 15 years and include 19 freight stands and four passenger stands for aircraft as well as warehousing and fuel storage.
Campaigners against the development raise issues including noise, need, climate harm and damage to Ramsgate’s tourism industry.
A statement from RiverOak Strategic Partners says: “RSP is delighted that, after two days of hearings at the High Court and several months of deliberation, Mr Justice Dove has dismissed the application to quash the Government’s approval for the Manston Airport Development Consent Order.
“This is a highly significant and positive development towards our aim of turning Manston into a state of-the-art air freight hub underway and working to support the long-term economic development of East Kent.
“We’d like to take this opportunity to thank the people, businesses, education bodies and other stakeholders across Thanet and East Kent – for whom Manston’s reopening represents a vital lifeline for their communities – for their continued and devoted support.”
On her campaign page Jenny Dawes said: “Sadly the application for judicial review was not successful
“While I am disappointed with the judge’s decision today, this is not the end of the process. Judicial review proceedings are seldom straightforward and this one particularly so, given that this is thought to be the first redetermined Development Consent Order (DCO) considered by the courts.
“Having already succeeded once in a judicial review against the Secretary of State’s first decision to approve Manston Airport, we always knew it would be more difficult to succeed a second time round.
“That is not because the economic case for Manston Airport has improved or because the climate change concerns have been resolved – quite the opposite in fact – but because the government was more careful the second time round to immunise its decision from judicial review. So far, that approach has worked.
“However, I remain firmly of the view that the government’s decision to proceed with Manston Airport, in the face of expert evidence to the contrary and in the context of the worsening climate crisis, is nonsensical, and the procedure followed by the Secretary of State was deeply flawed. The case raises significant issues relating to DCO redetermination processes, which will have an impact on how those cases are conducted in the future. I will therefore be appealing today’s ruling.”
Reaction to the judgement
North Thanet MP Sir Roger Gale said: “I am naturally pleased that after an inordinate amount of delay Manston Airport can now prepare for take off. There is a vast sum of money waiting to be invested in East Kent and I would like to thank all of those, RiverOak, financial backers and the majority of the public who have kept the faith and got us to where we are today.
“I know that RiverOak intend to commence work as swiftly as practically possible, and I look forward to the day when the next chapter of Manston’s proud aviation history will commence.”
County Councillor for Ramsgate Karen Constantine said: “This decision will a blow to many. Not least of those concerned with the impact on our health – we now know how damaging to health living under aircraft flight paths is. Which is why most communities fight against new airports and runway extensions.
“Also of concern is the impact on our progress to net zero. It remains to be seen where all the financial investment is actually coming from. I think it’s high time the financial veracity of this project was proven and not simply stated.
“We must remember this decision isn’t about whether or not RSP have a sound plan or not – it’s about the decision making procedure. So we will be appealing.
“Tony Freudmann has yet to disclose details on workforce plans despite a commitment to do so. Nor I have seen any details on noise reductions for the mostly Victorian, Regency and Georgian housing stock.
“I now urge people to look very closely at the plans, to think about how freight flights might impact our tourist economy and our health. The benefits of this proposal do not outweigh the detrimental impact.”
Leader of Thanet District Council, Cllr Rick Everitt said: “We note the court’s decision today regarding the judicial review. Given the history of this matter, it is not immediately clear to us if this is the end of the DCO process.
“RiverOak Strategic Partners will be well aware that there are other legal processes to complete before the airport is able to operate according to their proposals, including a number of consents required from the district council as the local planning authority.
“Although there are different and strongly held views about Manston within the community, the council’s role is to engage constructively on these matters, as it would with any other planning applicant. If these matters now come forward then that is what we will do.”
Manston Airport is safeguarded for airport-related uses in Thanet’s current Local Plan – a blueprint for development and infrastructure in the district. The council will address the DCO decision through the update of the Local Plan.
TDC Conservative Group statement: “We are delighted that the Government’s approval of the DCO for Manston has been upheld today in the High Court. This is a very happy day for all councillors and campaigners who have wished to see the airport reopen.
“Manston Airport is vital to the economic prosperity of Thanet and the wider East Kent area. The employment and training opportunities that it will create for local people is very exciting. The Conservatives have always supported the reopening of Manston Airport.
“Now is the time for all councillors, including the Labour administration at TDC to get behind what will be a huge economic driver for our district. I look forward to seeing planes flying from there again as soon as possible.”
Save Manston Airport association: “With this latest Judgement by Mr Justice Dove, Manston Airport will re-open as a highly green airport – it will be re-built from the ground up, to use green principles, and Green Electric and Hydrogen power, with half a Billion pounds of Infrastructure investment.
“This decision will create many much-needed jobs for the Thanet and east Kent area, and will enable rejuvenation of the local economy. As well as jobs, SMAa and RSP have worked closely with local schools, colleges and universities to promote and advertise STEM and aviation-related studies, in the form of apprenticeships, the construction of an onsite-aviation college and collaboration with local educational establishments to create opportunity and experience.
“We would like to thank our many thousands of members and all local people that took part in the examination for the DCO, and would like to pay a very special thanks to RSP, who have been in the fight with us from the very beginning, now 10 years.
“A special thanks goes out to our excellent MP Sir Roger Gale, for his tireless and relentless hard work during the campaign.”
Jane Hetherington, Chair of the Ramsgate branch of the Labour Party, said: “We are extremely disappointed at the recent decision, which will be contested by the appellant, Jenny Dawes. We have consistently supported the principle that the planning decision should be based on factual evidence. The Secretary of State (SOS) has clearly been selective in the evidence he has given weight to.
“We support the residents of Ramsgate in their desire to be protected from the environmental consequences of a cargo hub and the negative impact this will have on local jobs and businesses.
“We have serious concerns about the impact this ruling will have on the physical and mental health of residents, in an area which already experiences grave health inequalities. Ultimately, we feel that the inhabitants of Ramsgate, in particular our children, deserve a better future than that offered by this development.”
Timeline
October 2013: Infratil announce the sale of Manston airport to Stagecoach tycoon Ann Gloag for a nominal £1, plus accrued debts.
November 2013: Ann Gloag’s Manston Skyport takes over the airport
March 2014: Ann Gloag announces plans to close the airport
April 9, 2014: The last Dutch airline KLM flight leaves Manston
April 2014: Newmarket Holidays said its Verona and Naples seasonal charter flights would move to the expanding Lydd Airport
May 15, 2014: The airport closes with the loss of 144 jobs. An offer of the £7million asking price for the site by US firm RiverOak Corporation is refused. The payment was offered in a deal where Ann Gloag was asked to leave Skyport’s £2million in the bank account making a net £5million offer.
June 2014: A petition with about 7,700 signatures, to support a compulsory purchase order to preserve Manston airport for aviation purposes, was presented to Thanet District Council
July 2014: Flying school TG Aviation lose a High Court battle to use the runway despite still having 50 years to run on their lease. The company is forced to move to Lydd
July 2014: Thanet District Council (TDC) agrees to investigate raising a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) on Manston airport.
July 2014: A petition with 26,524 signatures protesting against the closure of Manston is handed to 10 Downing Street by MPs Sir Roger Gale and Laura Sandys and campaigners
July 2014: US company RiverOak writes to Thanet council offering to buy and run the airport and say they will fully cover all costs, including the CPO.
July 2014: There is a fire sale of Manston assets
August 2014: TDC issue a formal notice and the process of finding an indemnity partner for the Manston CPO begins
September 2014: The site has new owners – Chris Musgrave and Trevor Cartner of Discovery Park. A second sale is held.
December 2014: The Labour controlled council decide not to proceed with a CPO stating there was not a suitable indemnity partner
February and March 2015: Transport Select Committee looks at the Manston airport issue as part of its examination of smaller UK airports. Pauline Bradley, Director, Manston Skyport Limited and Alastair Welch, Interim Director, Kent Airport Limited, are grilled about the ownership of the Manston airport site but the question is never fully answered.
June 2015: An Independent review by PwC, on behalf of the Department for Transport, into the process on decisions about the future of Manston Airport is completed. The report is critical of Thanet council’s approach to the CPO indemnity process.
June 2015: Planning application received by TDC for change of use of Building 870 followed by applications for change of use of four hangars on the site to non-aviation use.
The same month a presentation is given and the name Stone Hill Park is revealed for the site by Mr Cartner and Mr Musgrave.
July 2015: It was announced that the site may be used to house overflow lorries from Operation Stack. This did not take place
October 2015: The planning application for change of use of airport buildings is refused.
The same month TDC Cabinet agree to take no further CPO action on Manston saying RiverOak do not meet the indemnity requirements.
November 2015: Thanet council announces a further soft marketing exercise for Manston airport
December 2015: It was announced that RiverOak would undertake a Development Consent Order (DCO) process to acquire permission from central government to reopen the airport
January 2016: Lothian Shelf (718) appeal the decision of the Planning Committee over Building 870 and the non-determination of the other three applications.
February 2016: Thanet District Council announced a total of five expressions of interest had been received, with three being carried forward to the next stage of the CPO process
June 2016: SHP submit a masterplan planning application to Thanet District Council, seeking permission for 2,500 homes, commercial sectors and public parkland, under the name Stone Hill Park.
October 2016: It is reported SHP received payments totalling £3.539 million from the Department for Transport to keep Manston airport on standby as a lorry park
October 2016: AviaSolutions publishes its report, commissioned by Thanet council at a cost of £50,000, into the viability of Manston’s future. The conclusion of the report was ‘airport operations at Manston are very unlikely to be financially viable in the longer term and almost certainly not possible in the period to 2031’.
Thanet council say the report means the authority does not have sufficient evidence to continue to designate the site ‘for aviation use only’ within its Local Plan.
MP Sir Roger Gale says he will quit politics if Manston does not reopen as an airport.
The same month Lib Dem Russ Timpson suggests Manston could be used for aircraft salvage or the development of a space port.
June 2016: A report to Thanet council Cabinet members on the latest round of soft market testing concludes: “Cabinet note the results of the soft market testing assessment and take no further action in respect of the interested parties.”
November 2016: Mr Cartner and Mr Musgrave sell Discovery Park to an investment company to concentrate on their plans as majority shareholders, with partner Ann Gloag, for Stone Hill Park.
December 2016: UK registered RiverOak Strategic Partners Ltd buys the financial, strategic and operational responsibility for the redevelopment of Manston and seeing through the DCO from the US RiverOak corporation. The US firm is no longer involved with the Manston project.
January 2017: Plans to axe the aviation-use only designation at Manston airport go out to public consultation as part of the draft Local Plan.
February 2017: Disruptive Capital, with financier Edi Truell as chairman, say they will commission a report on their plans for aviation use at Manston airport
March 2017: A public inquiry hearing into the refusal of change of use applications for four buildings on the airport site is held.
The hearing also leads to questions about RSP’s funding vehicle M.I.O Investments, which is registered in Belize.
The same month SHP unveils heritage plans for the Manston site
April 2017: RSP threatens legal action over an email which RiverOak Strategic Partners Ltd (RSP) say Cllr Wells sent to 35 members of the authority and which, they say, contained defamatory allegations against RSP and M.I.O Investments.
The same month RSP publishes three parts of a four part report outlining its future proposals and criticising a previous airport viability study commissioned by Thanet council.
The study on behalf of Riveroak Strategic Partners forms part of the Development Consent Order process.
May 2017: An unnamed US logistics firm announces its interest in taking ownership of Manston and plans to put £100m into the site. Represented by Dale Crawford of DTD Consult the firm says the aim is to relocate 12 aircraft currently in Europe to the Manston site and plan to gain a compulsory purchase order for the 750-acre plot.
SHP say they have no interest in selling the site.
May 2017: Following meetings with Thanet council Dale Crawford says the American firm is looking at options for a direct purchase. A deal does not come to fruition.
July 2017: The decision of a Public Inquiry over Lothian Shelf ‘s (718) appeal to allow the re-designation of buildings on Manston Airport for non-aviation use is released.
Government Inspector Matthew Nunn dismisses all four appeals. He said to grant the appeals “would be likely to compromise any future aviation use of the airport.” The outcome meant TDC Policy EC4 remained, reserving aviation only use for the Manston airport site.
November 2017: The government announces the deal to extend the arrangement to use the Manston site for Operation Stack if needed.
January 2018: Thanet’s Draft Local Plan is voted down by councillors who object to the aviation only clause for the site being removed. The vote leads to a split in the Thanet UKIP group and the eventual demise of the party being in control of TDC. It also results in government intervention aimed at getting a plan in place.
April 2018: RSP lodges the DCO with the Planning Inspectorate
May 2018: SHP submits enhanced plans to Thanet council for development at the site
May 2018: The same day it is announced that RSP has ‘temporarily’ withdrawn the DCO
May 2018: The Planning Inspectorate publishes a response to questions from Ramsgate Town Councillor Susan Kennedy over the withdrawn submission. PINS outline their ‘concerns’ with the current application.
June 2018: Stone Hill Park (SHP) announces it is in talks with Homes England to support the redevelopment of the airport site at Manston through the £3billion Home Building Fund.
July 2018: Thanet council Cabinet members voted to move forward with a new option on the Thanet Draft Local Plan for 2,500 homes allocated to the villages, Margate and Westwood instead of the Manston airport site – but also striking out both the policies (SP05 and EC4) in place to protect aviation.
July 2018: Kent County Council urges the Government to make use of lorry parking facilities at the Manston airport site as part of preparations for Brexit.
Then-leader of KCC Paul Carter said contingency plans needed to be put in place to minimise disruption on strategic routes through the county and that an alternative to Operation Stack had to be found before new border and customs arrangements are introduced for the UK withdrawal from the European Union.
July 2018: RiverOak Strategic Partners (RSP) re-submits its application for a Development Consent Order (DCO) for the Manston airport site.
The DCO seeks development consent and compulsory acquisition powers over the land. A DCO is the means of obtaining permission for developments categorised as Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP). This includes energy, transport, water and waste projects.
August 2018: The Development Consent Order application is accepted for the pre-examination stage by the Planning Inspectorate.
September 2018: The decision on Stone Hill Park’s application to build houses, business and leisure facilities on the Manston airport site should have been considered by Thanet council’s planning committee by August 15 but ‘the complexity’ of the situation leads to an agreed extension of December 31.
December 2018: PINs publishes the timetable for hearings and deadlines for information to be submitted during the examination of the DCO application.
January 2019: The first ‘issue specific’ hearing into the Development Consent Order application by firm RiverOak Strategic Partners (RSP) begins at Margate Winter Gardens.
January 2019: A special development order designating the Manston airport site for use as a lorry park to cope with possible post-Brexit jams at the Port of Dover comes into effect.
The order ‘augmented’ the deal to use Manston as a short-term solution for Operation Stack which was first struck with then-site owners Stone Hill Park in August 2015 following a Summer of disruption due to French strikes and growing migrant camps in Calais.
January 2019: A cover letter from RSP to the Planning Inspectorate says it is restructuring in response to concerns about its funding vehicle M.I.O Investments Limited, which holds 90% of shares in the company but is registered in Belize. The remaining 10% of its shares are held by RiverOak Manston Ltd
M.I.O Investments Limited ultimate beneficial owners are resident in Switzerland and the UK. It is managed and administered by Helix Fiduciary AG, a Swiss registered and regulated fiduciary company.
March 2019: An unexploded wartime bomb uncovered on the Manston airport site on March 14) is detonated by an Army bomb squad.
A Royal Logistic Corps Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team was called in yesterday morning to help Kent Police deal with the device.
March 2019: Works well underway at the Manston airport site in preparation to stack up to 6,000 lorries for the anticipated UK exit from the European Union.
May 2019: The Manston airport site is stood down from immediate readiness as a ‘No Deal Brexit’ lorry park.
May 2019: Ramsgate Town Council sponsors a public meeting to discuss the proposed Development Consent Order to reopen and develop the former airfield at Manston, by RiverOak Strategic Partners.
January-July 2019: The PINs Examination hearings for the DCO take place, led by Kelvin McDonald, and cover a number of contentious issues surrounding the application, including night flights, noise and noise compensation, land values, funding and funders and the question of whether the project is needed.
Other areas raised are job creation, infrastructure investment and potential economic boost for Thanet and east kent.
Representations are made by a wide variety of organisations, including Thanet council and Historic England, campaign groups including Save Manston Airport association, Supporters of Manston Airport, No Night Flights and Nethercourt Action Group, numerous individuals and both Manston museums.
Further questions are raised about business plan forecasts, road networks and the proposed use of the Northern Grass.
The question of land contamination was also been raised with the likely presence of firefighting foam residual chemical PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid ) in the land and water.
July 2019: Contracts exchanged agreeing the sale of the Manston airport site to RiverOak Strategic Partners subsidiary RiverOak MSE Ltd, by sellers Stone Hill Park. RiverOak Strategic Partners reportedly paid £16.5 million. SHP owned 742 acres of the site, which totals around 770 acres, with the remaining plots belonging to other interested parties.
Stone Hill Park withdraws enhanced planning proposals for homes, business and leisure on the Manston airport site.
October 2019: A report by the Planning Inspectorate to submit a recommendation over the development consent order for the Manston airport site is delayed because a final fee is yet to be processed. A week later the recommendation report is sent to the Secretary of State
January 2020: The decision by the Secretary of State over the development consent order to create a cargo hub at the Manston airport site is pushed back by four months.
The decision had been due on January 18 but a written statement to Parliament made by Nusrat Ghani, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport, says the latest delay means the outcome will be announced on May 18.
January 2020: Submission of yet another round of comments and further information is requested by the Secretary of State for Transport before a decision over the development consent order will be made.
February 2020: Controversial plans for a third runway at Heathrow airport are deemed unlawful because climate commitments were not taken into account.
The Court of Appeal judgement follows a case launched by environmental campaigners. Judges said for the third runway to go ahead it would have to fit with UK climate policy.
February 2020: Submissions made to PINs in January are published.
May 2020: The May 18 deadline comes and goes with no decision announcement. On May 20 it is revealed that the decision has been pushed back again until July 10, 2020.
December 2020: Manston airport site is used as a Brexit lorry park
February 2021: The DCO is quashed and the redetermination process begins
April 2021: An air space change application fails to gain approval at the first ‘gateway assessment’. The Civil Aviation Authority flight path process has to be completed for a permanent change to airspace usage, such as a change of routes,
June 2021: The contract to use part of the Manston site as a lorry park comes to an end
August 2021: An air space change application being undertaken by Manston airport site owners RiverOak Strategic Partners (RSP) fails to gain approval for the ‘gateway assessment’ stage.
October 2021: An independent assessor’s report commissioned by the Secretary of State concludes the case of need for a freight hub at the Manston airport site is not proven.
The draft report, drawn up by Ove Arup & Partners Ltd, was commissioned as part of the process of re-determination after approval for the airport project was given but then quashed by a High Court order.
August 2022: Transport minister Karl McCartney MP grants the DCO once more.
September 2022: Ms Dawes launches bid for a second Judicial Review
January 2023: The JR application is dismissed
March 2023: A JR review is allowed on partial grounds in a review by Mrs Justice Lieven
July 2023: At a hearing before Honourable Mr Justice Ian Dove the focus was on the process for two areas -whether need for the airport was correctly assessed and whether due consideration was given to what impact the scheme might have on the Government’s ability to meet its future carbon reduction targets.
September 2023: Mr Justice Dove dismisses the JR application on all counts.
Love it!
How about you, Andrew, Ian, Phyllis, M&M?
Finally, now let’s stop the stupid tug of war that’s been going on and just move forward! Let’s have no more delays! Onwards and upwards. ✈️
It doesn’t really matter what the decision is. The proposed site isn’t going to move-and it’s not exactly a suitable site for a cargo hub. Perhaps the judge is a climate change sceptic.
I wonder how many more sticks there will be in the spokes before a member of the Judiciary utters the phrase “… vexacious complaint…”?🤔
I believe the legal phrase is “frivolous and vexatious”, which sums the mindset of the eco-fanatics.
Great news for double glazing salesmen, plasterers and any other tradesmen who’ll get extra work once all the old listed buildings start shaking.
And if we can scare off all the tourists we can reclaim Ramsgate and Herne Bay!
What a fatuous argument! Are you in all seriousness claiming that old buildings in Ramsgate will require a litany of repairs simply because aircraft will again be flying overhead in Manston’s renaissance? If so, perhaps you could give me a list of all the properties that were damaged as a direct result of the last time Manston was operational and, prior to that, when the skies above Ramsgate were full of USAF aircraft.
There will be a need for double glazing salesmen and air conditioning fitters.
RSP’s application acknowledges this to be the case.
Excellent. Jobs are needed locally.
Great news. Well done Tony and team
Fantastic news I knew all along common sense would prevail thank god it has. It’s bad news for the builders. Some weeks ago we went into one of the show houses and I said to the lady “ I understand the airport is going to open soon, she replied “ oh no don’t worry about that we have stopped that” so it show where some of Dawes money pot was coming from.
Exactly! We all know where the money was coming from. That’s the best news I’ve heard in a long time apart from the interest rate staying the same yesterday, let’s all move on & forward for a change, can’t wait to fly away instead of sitting in traffic on the M25 to get to Gatwick or Heathrow.
I thought it was for freight.
These fools don’t even know what they are supporting.
There are plans for passenger gates as well as freight. Shame you don’t know what you’re protesting about.
It does say In the article about 4 passanger stands. Perhaps people are referring to that?
Are the people who don’t want the an airport the same people who don’t want a new railway station, don’t want the lifts repaired and think theatres are a waste of money… yet claim Ramsgate is thriving?
I suspect so.
Brilliant news.. jobs for many, prosperity for Thanet, well done rsp.
When is this woman going to stop this ridiculous vendetta against the airport we have a cost of living crisis but people seem to find money more than likely other sources it’s time to move on think of the next generation who will be looking for work instead of stuck on the dole where there lives are controlled by politicians.
If it’s “a ridiculous vendetta” it’s rather a well-supported one.
76k isn’t exactly well supported. Perhaps you should of dipped further into your pocket.
The first JR raised nearly £120,000.
The second, on the verge of £80,000.
That’s heading in the direction of £200,000. And not a £ from building developers and estate agents, contrary to rumours.
And it was enough to do the job.
But, when ut comes to raising money, where do you think RSP is going to get the £500,000,000 (and counting)?
They raise less each time then.
£200k you say ?! Gee Whiz !! Jumping jack rabbits !!
Evidently it wasn’t enough to do the job.
They won’t find the money to sort the airport either in my opinion. It’s no doubt just another cash fiddle somewhere up the ladder.
Bravo, Judge Love!!
Ms Dawes is becoming a ‘vexatious plaintiff’. She needs to be stopped in LAW.
MsPunk,
You are obviously a DFL and know nothing about the Airport we used to have hurricane jets, refuelling aircraft, large bombers flying over our house to and from Manston airport, and we never even had anything that rattled or plaster fall off. We had more noise from Ramsgate Football Ground.
@Ann, it’s very perceptive of you to work out that I’ve moved Down from Luton!
I’m now thinking of moving back there. The grass isn’t greener down here after all 🙁
I’m pretty sure Luton has a busy airport.
It’s about time, now, RSP, let’s get this project started ASAP, and the best of luck with your new venture.
Well done Judge Dove and Sir Roger Gale and all the supporters of Manston Airport.
Congratulations be good to see the airport up and running again
At last !!!!
Well done RSP, team and all the supporters !
I’m so happy 😀
The best opportunity for Thanet ever ✈️
Ms Dawes should be applauded for her valiant efforts. However now that the decision has been made. I do hope that it is excepted & respected.
Whether the funding can be found & the airport ever actually opens again is a completely different matter.
What I wonder is why RSP have been waiting all this time. They’ve owned the site for several years; there’s absolutely nothing to stop them from applying for CAA authority and getting on with it.
I wonder whay they haven’t?
Because they’ve been listening to your concerns, Andrew.
Ms Dawes should be applauded for her valiant efforts. However now that the decision has been made. I do hope that it is excepted & respected.
Whether the funding can be found & the airport ever actually opens again is a different matter.
At long last, aircraft flying in and out of our beloved Manston airport very soon.
I’m so delighted, excited and glad that the youngsters will have a working future to look forward to.
Common sense prevailed after all.
Ms Dawes, exit stage left….
“You are the weakest link… goodbye!”
Ms Dawes and many others supported and financed these judicial reviews.
Let’s see how many jobs actually come to fruition for local people – not people moving here with the jobs which will clearly have to come from existing set ups. Most of the local jobs will be minimum wage low skill requirement – ie warehouse jobs- which employers are finding difficulty filling across the country as it is. Hope it succeeds but can’t see where enough business is goi g to come from to justify the huge seat up costs that will occur before a tyre has landed on the runway. Hopefully we’ll hear some concrete promises of carriers and businesses that have pledged to use the airport. If not….
Lol I bet Fruadmann is crapping himself now lol
He has got to get investors with half a billion quid. He has got to get the road infrastructure improvements. He has got to find away of under cutting the price of the fuel grid.
Lol it’s never going to happen lol
Move the HRDF aerial.
Get a CAA licence.
Find some customers.
It will never happen and the irony is the morons will say it’s “snowflakes” that sabotaged it and not (once again) they believed a pack of lies from someone out to make a quick Buck.
At last. I am old enough to remember the airport being fully operational until being sold and stripped of most assets. The ridiculous amount of money spent on all this legal wrangling (possibly a very valid point made in an earlier comment about developer funding) could have been put to much better use. Onwards and upwards now, good luck.
I’d pay money to see M.M.REES face reading this.
Here you are. Thanks for being so generous.
https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/support-judicial-review-of-sec/
Would rather pledge money to get you two out down.
I do hope you’re not making threats of violence against me.
Oh of course not. Why? You thinking of running to the admins as per usual?
Or me, Phyllis! What do you suppose “out down”means?
Can’t say I’m bothered. See my earlier comments.
I knew you’d come round to our way of thinking. Well done for seeing the light, Ms. M&M.
I oppose RSP’s plan for an airport near Ramsgate.
I have a feeling this may go all the way up to the Supreme Court.
Surely the judge ought to have quashed Jenny Dawes and her band of deluded supporters . The campaign to stop the airport has been proven a waste of time and money ( take note Ramsgate Council ) as it is vexatious and nasty. Manston has one of the longest landing strips in GB and I am delighted the judge has thrown out yet another appeal
Not when you bear in mind that the Govt advisory experts had said there was no commercial or strategic need for an extra airport- I think it’s just a romantic view that we need an airport and it will make Thanet great.
Hopefully Ramsgate Town Council, (Labour & Greens) won’t again be using our Council Tax money to help fund anymore appeals. The Snowflakes have their Arty Farty shops & Cafe’s, what more do they want?
The Green and Labour RTC councillors, the ones who approved the donation to the first JR, were overwhelmingly voted back in.
The UKIP councillors, who made such a fuss, were booted out.
I’m an ardent Labour Party supporter and always have been, but I must admit I’m ashamed of the actions and support of our local Labour councillors who have been happy to make the bullets for Jenny Dawes to fire. It was inconceivable to me that of all parties the LABOUR party have been the ones to try and deny this employment opportunity. They should bow their head in shame.
Wait until these jobs all appear first eh William.
But it’s not an employment opportunity. Over and over again the absurd figures put up by RSP have been shown to be wildly adrift.
And against any employment gains at Manston, you have to offset losses in the hospitality and tourism industries, especially in Ramsgate.
The Labour Ramsgate Councillors have been funding Jenny Dawes High Court appeals and every one involved should hang their heads in shame but that may be impossible as they have had their heads buried in the sand . Guess wasting money on putting pretty gates up to deter visitors straying into the ghost town and other daft ideas have addled theirs brains ( not much to addle though ) 🤔
The Harbour Street gate is there to prevent drivers entering the street during pedestrian-only hours. The Harbour Street pavements are not closed off when the gate is shut.
‘The Anaesthetist’ strikes again.
Life’s a gas.
When will the plans for manston be revealed ?
When will we know who the investors are ?
When will we know which haulage flight companies are moving to manston.
When will we know which import and export companies are moving to thanet ?
When will we know the costing
There already is an import and export company in Ramsgate, and has been for many years, if you care to look.
Presumably this company has managed to thrive despite Manston nit being an airport?
Yes
Yes that will be interesting. Who’s going to want to invest £500m probably rising to £600/700 to build an airport with no routes and no business? Seems very strange. And why would any large operator of haulage want to come here when they are already established at airports with a fully working network if roads warehouses and staff. I just don’t get it!!!
Excellent news. I wait with bated breath for the sudden boom in Thanet. The 500000 jobs, the tourists (from a freight airport?!?!?) and all the other ridiculous claims people seem to be making about the airport.
When this attempt fails like the rest (after grant money runs out) will the droves of easily led followers agree it was sold a dream on lies and move on from the ridiculous notion a booming airport will ever be in Thanet?!?!?
For now let’s all hope it’s not a pack of lies and jobs and wealth will be flooding in…
But let’s not forget most of these promises are from Craig McKinlay!
How stupid are you people?
You keep throwing your money away so Dawes can live her lavish lifestyle. You think she’s doing it for the residents. She loves your money.
How stupid are you people!
I’ve not contributed anything and I’m not against the airport. I’m against empty promises that will never happen. I’d love a thriving airport at manston. Would be amazing. Certainly will not happen with these charlatans.
As usual people like you make everything a them Vs us.
I am just looking at the characters involved and saying this is never gonna happen. Let’s wait and see
I haven’t given 1 penny to Ms Dawes.
I have donated to the funding appeal.
Ms Dawes doesn’t get any of that money.
A bit like Captain Bob’s daughter “never got” anything?
Please give us all the information about Ms Dawes’ “lavish lifestyle” and the proof that she “loves” our money.
It may be worth reminding ourselves of the actual situation. RSP acquired the land – a Govt minister (who never visited the area) granted planning permission. RSP now have to find investors to fund the half billion development costs. RSP then have to find an operator who will actually run the airport – that operator then has to find airlines who will pay enough to cover the rent for the airport and cover the interest costs from that half billion investment. Simples
Yea lol
But the pro manston ignore those facts lol
Nice to see Dawes has lost her pointless battle against Manston and the wishes of local people. Looking forward to seeing this open for travelers and most of all much needed decent paying jobs. I knew there was a reason for Parkway train station, why else would they spend 44milion.🙏
Local people voted in a Green and Labour (anti-airport) Council, and voted out the UKIP ad Tory (pro airport) councillors.
Those were the wishes of the local people.
Pretty sure we have Tory MPs still.
You think Craig will get back in?!?!?
Yes!?!?!
Good grief. It’s a freight airport. The station is at the bottom of a hill. The airport is at the top! It’s there for the huge housing being constructed around that area. Otherwise it would be called Manston Parkway. It’s virtually the cane distance from the airport as Ramsgate station is from the airport.
Your statement is factuly correct & I assume that you are implying that this means that the majority of local people are against the airport. Could you remind me what the turnout figures were for the last local elections?
Can’t personally see it taking off (no pun intended)
But, I hope it does.. and I hope it does bring jobs, business opportunities etc. May have failed in the past but who’s to say it will this time. It’s unpredictable times so maybe, hopefully.. it’ll turn out different this time round.
More fiddles going on at TDC, KCC, and with Thanets MPs.
So many lies on both sides
So manston win’s great news
Ramsgate Dock’s coming back to life. Let’s see these two great important assets Thanet has grow and make jobs and money with out further delay. Both have improved road access since the 80s when they were very busy. Support or move on. Stop time wasting. Loved it when mod run airport, the noise of great aircraft was a joy and no one complained . Thanet needs more than just bloody houses taking farm land and no jobs
Chris when is the infrastructure being put in for both the airport and docks ?
Theres no way a two lane thanet way and M2 can cope. So what’s the time scale for making them 4 lane ?
Ben Dover
What passengers it’s a freight hub not for people.
Parkway station is also for people not freight
Why do so many pro manston people not understand what manston plans to be ?
For now. It will be a passenger airport eventually, now that the government have seen the light and realised that going green means losing votes.
There used to be passengers flying from Manston, so I like you, dont see a problem. Ramsgate parkway could fo very well.
Well. That’s a bitter disappointment. Let’s see how this plays. Hopefully one day when it’s well and truly gone tits up…. You’ll feel silly for trusting in Tony and the greasy MPs supporting this.
Hope they fail quickly.
Sir Roger Gale has already taken 40 years to “fail”. Not quick, by any standard.
Excellent news , We need the airport and it’s jobs , let’s hope there’s no more appeals allowed!
“We need the airport and it’s jobs ..”
Clearly not.
Although the UK economy generally is the worst in the G7, that’s due to Brexit.
And, since the airport closed in 2014, unemployment in Thanet has gone down.
Mr X I worked at Ramsgate docks and airport, 1000 lorry’s a week past through Ramsgate on what was then single carriage way with out a problem Thanet way was single lane to Sittingbourne again with out problems, airport traffic including very large mod vehicles again never a problem. All anti manston airport have no argument because they are all happy to fly at gatwick or Heathrow for holidays.
So there only argument is not on my doorstep.
I have not flown anywhere since about 1980, so count me out, Chris.
Blimey, I’d be miserable too if I never went anywhere.
Great news, but one question, will R.T.C who donated money to Jenny Daws campaign have to repay the money to the people, as in all honestly, it wasn’t their money to ‘give away’ In the first place. I also wonder if Councillor Green will move, as he has been totally against Manston, yet he moved to a bungalow underneath the flight path. Hypocrisy at it’s best..
Fact concrete is the most polluting building material so houses are more polluting . Also never trust a person who hides under a fake name
Chris
I stand corrected I have only lived here for 64 years so dont remember the airport or docks being that successful.
I can remember lots of problems on the single lane thanet way and when ever the M2 goes down to one lane.
Still only time will tell if the struck off solicitor is telling the truth
Dementia can do funny things. You obviously mean the airport that was in Pysons Road, and forget the success the two ferry companies had when they operated out of Ramsgate,employing many people.
Paul link
Yes you are correct dementia is a terrible disease. It can rip families apart as the watch a love one suffer.
Anyway back to manston and the port. Why did these successful companies using the port and airport go bust ?
From a personal point. I have been on the phone to half a dozen friends of mine! Who are anti the airport but they all agreed it’s time to put closure to it. One even said she is like a begging bowl that won’t break. They have donated quite substantial money in the past to her crowdfunding but agreed in times where money is precious they will not be donating anymore So maybe your friends maybe feeling the same.
“they will not be donating anymore to her lifestyle pot!”
The money is paid directly to the lawyers so a gross lie
typical planespotter
So a DCO has been granted based on on an RSP employees myopic view of the aircargo market based in 2018.
Taxpayer’s money has been employed to rewrite a DCO that NEVER identified
1. The profitability of Sally Fiction’s crystal ball
2. Whether RSP actually had any money
3. Whether there was a need for a new cargo hub in North East Kent
Does make one wonder whether any legitimate bank would ever grant a business loan based on these circumstances
As a non-DFL, I would like to congratulate RSP on their ultimate victory. So-called climate change is an exaggeration of epic proportions. Nature is simply working its cyclic changes as ever with disasters around the globe caused by the inevitable.
The eco-fanatics on here are misguided and delusional. The same people spewing out the same tripe. You lost your campaign of misinformation so get over yourselves.
Amazing what you can do with unlimited taxpayer’s money
wasn’t it dear Tone that said “we will build it without taxpayers’ money”
“Nature is simply working its cyclic changes”.
True.
But those cyclical changes don’t account for the enormous rise in temperature since the Industrial Revolution.
The point about Manston is that every expert opinion (over a dozen, including one commissioned by the SoS) says that there is no case for an airport at Manston. The only report in its favour was one produced by Sally Dixon of Azimuth (paid for by RSP) – a report that was dismantled bit by bit by Louise Congdon of York Aviation.
Congratulations I believe we need an airport now as thanet has seen such an increase in homes being built in the area and all around thanet it may only be freight for now but hopefully it will be passengers later as travelling to all other airports is such a drain we know have the population that would make the airport work.
Environmentalists are welcome to leave the county.
Pie in the sky
Isn’t it ironic how one individual can hold up the progress of the United Kingdom – and yet in France and other European countries an airport would be welcomed with open arms as a benefit to the local area.
Well lets hope this is the end and that the legal system recognises Ms Dawes as a vexacious complainant and dismisses any further action, out of hand.
Lets move on and welcome back the aviation and its businesses and put Thanet back on the map.
All this green wokery will soon be recognised as the waste of time that it really is especially when we are responsible for less than 1% of CO2 emited globally.
Now lets get on with our National Transport Infrastucture.