EAST CLIFF RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION CALLS FOR COMPENSATION FOR RAMSGATE IF AIRPORT IS EXPANDED

In response to the Thanet District Council Core strategy Consultation the East Cliff Residents Association has called for the benefits of airport expansion to be weighed against the possible detrimental effect on Ramsgate.

Paul Warrick, acting Chairman of the Association said: “Expansion of Manston has the potential to bring great benefits to Thanet – but will undoubtedly have a blighting effect on Ramsgate. The core strategy plan doesn’t recognise that the quality of living of 33 % of Thanet’s residents and the values of their homes could be seriously affected by insensitive airport expansion. Obviously ERA does not want to see Ramsgate suffer because of airport operations – and we believe development of the airport should only proceed if the quality of life in Ramsgate is preserved.

The new high speed rail connection, if combined with intelligent strategy set in place by the Ramsgate Town Council, give Ramsgate the potential for substantial regeneration and for large growth in property values. The true cost of insensitive expansion of the airport includes sacrificing that potential. Ramsgate property owners should receive compensation from TDC or the airport operator for the millions of pounds the town will miss out on if TDC puts the needs of Thanet as a whole ahead of , and to the detriment of , Ramsgate.

ERA calls on the RTC Councillors , especially the Councillors who are also on TDC, to put serious effort into ensuring that proper compensation is paid if Ramsgate is going to be sacrificed for the greater good of Thanet.”

Ed. for ERA’s full response to the core strategy consultation click on the link http://www.michaelsbookshop.com/blogpicts110/id5.htm