An abandoned airport with the UK’s 11th-longest civilian runway has hit a stumbling block ahead of its long-awaited reopening. Plans to bring Manston Airport near Ramsgate, Kent, back into operation have been underway since 2019, with the project expected to cost between £500m and £750m.
The site has been closed since 2014 but was repurposed during the Covid-19 pandemic as a lorry park. Current site owner RiverOak Strategic Partners Ltd (RSP) plans to reopen the airport as a global air freight hub, as well as providing commercial flights by 2029.
In March, RSP launched a public consultation on the proposals. Its director, Tony Freudmann, invited people to “provide any feedback they might have to help shape our plans”. As of that month, the firm expected construction work to get underway early next year. In May, however, Ramsgate Town Council revealed that it would raise concerns over suggested changes to the flight paths and airspace as part of the consultation phase for Stage 3.
Closed since 2014, the site was brought back into use as a lorry park during the Covid-19 pandemic. RSP bought Manston in 2019, with the Development Consent Order (DCO) to green-light the reopening approved in 2020.
This encountered legal challenges, but an updated DCO was ultimately signed off on in 2022. Ramsgate Town Council argued that proposed flight paths would lead to aircraft flying over densely populated parts of Ramsgate at low altitudes.
It was noted in the proposals that the airport could see up to 14,000 air traffic movements a year by 2038—about 38 flights a day. The council highlighted the potential impact this could have on residents.
RTC pointed to potential adverse health effects from noise exposure, which are set out in the proposal. These include disturbed sleep, an elevated risk of stroke and heart attacks, loss of amenity and possible links to dementia.
Indeed, the applicant’s plans put the potential cost of noise-related health conditions at more than £20.8 million over 10 years. RTC said it had further concerns, too.
It argued that the size of the intended operations is much larger in scale compared to past levels. RTC also suggested that there was a lack of evidence regarding secured funds or operators.
Also, it claimed demand had not been independently verified. In addition, the council didn’t believe that the consultation was enough for the size of the proposal, citing a limited number of engagement events.
RTC chairperson Cllr Steve Albon told The Isle of Thanet News: “Ramsgate Town Council recognises the importance of this issue to residents and is committed to ensuring that local concerns are clearly and professionally represented.
“The council will continue to engage with relevant authorities and stakeholders to try to ensure that any decisions relating to Manston Airport fully consider the impact on Ramsgate’s community.”