Plans to upgrade one of the country’s most famous frontline Battle of Britain airports at Manston, near Ramsgate, into a major cargo airport are being challenged in the High Court.
Local farmer Richard Tapp, of Birchington, and antiques restorer David Britton, of Ramsgate, are seeking to overturn Thanet District Council’s grant of development certificates in July 1999 for the change of use of land and buildings at RAF Manston to civilian use.
The grant of the certificates followed the Ministry of Defences sale of the site to a private developer, Wiggins Group plc, in July 1998, with the intention of expanding commercial use of the airfield and turning it into one of the UKs major cargo airports.
John Steel QC, counsel for Mr Tapp and Mr Britton, argued in court today that the council mishandled development applications in relation to the scheme. He accused their planning director of failing to report to and advise the council on regulations relating to civilian aircraft noise nuisance, and claimed that the planners failed to consider whether the proposed upgrade would involve a material change of use.
He contended that intensification of activity at the airport could amount to such a change, requiring a new planning consent, and that the certificates of lawful proposed development granted by the council should, therefore, be quashed.
He told the court that no information had been provided as to the nature and extent of the proposed civilian use of the airport by Wiggins Group, for instance as to the number of air traffic movements anticipated, the types of aircraft and the hours of operation.
“The effect of the certificates, as granted, would permit unfettered intensification in the use of the airport and its buildings beyond the level of use that had historically existed at the date of the applications,” he said.
The hearing continues, and a decision is expected tomorrrow.
PLS News 6/7/00
