North Thanet`s MP, Sir Roger Gale, is supporting calls for the compulsory purchase, by Thanet District Council, of Manston Airport.
Speaking following a weekend of discussions with local and national political leaders Sir Roger has said:
“ Laura Sandys and I are of the view, which I have reason to understand is shared by the new Labour Leadership of Thanet District Council and by the Conservative Opposition, that with the closure of the airfield the best way to secure a new future for aviation at Manston will be for a Compulsory Purchase Order to be placed upon the site which has, at present, planning consent only as an airport. This is detailed in the very recent draft of the local plan so there should be little difficulty in establishing existing use and thus for the local authority to acquire and then perhaps lease out or sell on the site at a sensible price.
Clearly the Council will wish to prepare its own study of options based upon legal advice but the opinion that we have been offered is that a bid to place a CPO on the airfield would succeed and that it could be readily funded. If that is so then it ought to be possible to remove the airport from the hands of those who clearly have other objectives and to restore Manston to its rightful place as part of our airport capacity in the South East.
From the work that has already been done we have good reason to believe that those who wish to re-open the airport and have the capacity to do so have every chance of succeeding where others have seemingly chosen to fail and we hope and expect that TDC`s senior officers, acting on instructions from elected Members, will take a very robust line.
We have to dispel the impression given, arising from discussions that apparently took place with TDC officers earlier in the year, that housing is a “done deal” and that anything other than airport use is on the agenda. As Iris Johnston has made publicly clear, it is not”.
Bit late to dispell that
ReplyDeleteI am hoping that reality and honesty come to bear while the Council are sorting out the agenda with Manston Airport. As you have now experienced an awakening of the feelings of the people of Thanet. To think you alas could let sleeping dogs (excuse the phrase) lie is an absolute insult to the inhabitants of the Isle. I and more would expect a far greater sense of propriety from the people in positions of trust and would at the correct time like a more open relationship with a council we can trust.I hope a lesson could be learned from recent events. God be with you all. S,Hobson
ReplyDeleteMany of the people of Thanet have been awake for some years Stephen! The lack of awareness by people living here of many other serious issues affecting the lives of many has been insulting and selfish. The Council's continued inability to manage this Isle to any sustainable and favourable outcome on behalf of the community is always open to question and Manston is no more a priority that the closure of facilities for the elderly, cuts in health care and the like. God help us all!
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