Night Flights vote - press coverage
Vote against Manston Airport night flights plan
BBC 25th May 2012
Plans for night flights from Manston Airport in Kent have been opposed by Thanet District Council. At a meeting on Thursday, the Labour-controlled council voted against all night flights to or from the airport. Charles Buchanan, the airport's chief executive, said:
"We are disappointed the council is not supporting the airport as much as it could."
In March, owners Infratil announced plans to sell Manston and Glasgow's Prestwick Airport.
Bob Bayford, Charles Buchanan, Clive Hart, Consultation, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Prestwick, WHO Infratil, Manston, Night flights, TDC Night Flights vote
TDC listened, and said "No" - will Mr Buchanan get the message?
On the face of it, it looks like a straightforward example of democracy at its best.
If only.
Bob Bayford, Bureau Veritas, Charles Buchanan, Clive Hart, Michelle Fenner, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Sandy Ezekiel, Will Scobie Infratil, Manston, Night flights, TDC Thursday 24th May
TDC have drawn up a draft response to Manston's proposal for night flights. Their response is informed by advice from independent experts, and guided by the result of the recent public consultation.
The answer is "No", and on Thursday they'll be voting to confirm that as their official position.
This may be your chance to let them know how you would like them to vote.
Democracy Night flights, TDC Crunch vote on Manston night flights coming soon
A crunch vote on night flights will take place this month as Thanet council prepares to give its final views. Councillors have to choose whether to support plans for up to eight flights a night between 11pm and 7am.
Last week, the Labour cabinet was accused of being "anti-airport" when it agreed that, in response to the airport's consultation, it would not support night flights.
Charles Buchanan, Clive Hart, Martin Wise, Parsons Brinckerhoff Manston, Night flights, TDC Location matters more than night flights
Night flights are not "make or break" for Manston airport, it will struggle regardless - that's the claim from Phil Rose of the No Night Flights group, which is campaigning against proposals to introduce scheduled flights between 11pm and 7am from Manston airport.
Mr Rose poured scorn on claims by the district's Conservative group that ending restrictions would improve the airport's fortunes.
Bob Grove, Charles Buchanan, Ian Driver, Jack Cohen, John Worrow, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Tom King Infratil, Manston, Night flights, TDC No Nightie Flights!
This is the film of the demonstration outside Thanet Council on May 17th by the campaigners against night flights at Manston airport. They argue that night flights disturb their sleep. Hence the bed and the night attire!
Janet Fielding, Petition, Thanet Watch Manston, Night flights, TDC TDC oppose Manston Airport night flights
Proposals for limited nighttime flying at Manston Airport in Kent are to be opposed by Thanet District Council. Scheduled night flights at the airport have been suggested to help increase air capacity in the south east.
On Thursday 10th May members of the cabinet agreed the potential economic benefits had been over-estimated and noise disturbance under-estimated.
Sparks fly over AWP fiasco
The unutterable shambles of the AWP meeting has given cause for complaint. A fully-fledged formal foot-stamping has landed with a thump at TDC Towers and should give a few people there pause for thought - a few snippets are reproduced below for your enlightenment.
Firstly, there is the problem of Mr Buchanan being given the opportunity to offically heckle the Council's draft report.
If simply by applying to address the working party results in one party with vested interests being able to speak in chambers, then this should be widely known. In this specific instance, I wish to know why officers did not think to invite other interested parties.
AWP, David Green, Hannah Thorpe, Jo Gideon, Julie Marson, Zita Wiltshire Manston, Night flights, TDC Thanet Airport Working Party 4th April
Like pushing your own face into a bacon slicer. Slowly. It was shambolic to a degree I would once have found shocking.
Charles Buchanan had been invited to speak by Cllr Gideon (chair), at Madeline Homer's suggestion, to "clarify" a number of points relating to the AWP's draft response. This led to some confusion as to whether the current draft report would need to be returned to Parsons Brinckerhoff for rewriting in the light of whatever Mr Buchanan might be about to say. Eventually they decided to play it by ear, and if only minor adjustments were required, they could go straight to the next stage of the process (Overview & Scrutiny) without the AWP needing to meet again.
[An aside: WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?
AWP, Charles Buchanan, Clive Hart, David Green, Hannah Thorpe, Jo Gideon, Madeline Homer, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Peter Campbell, York Aviation Manston, Night flights, TDC Herne Bay people power
Congratulations to Herne Bay for a clear-cut response to the night flight proposals - "No thank you!".
If you have never heard of Peter Vickery-Jones, he is a Herne Bay councillor and holder of the Transport Portfolio for Canterbury City Council. In this article he complains that "Local activists have criticised this council for failing to respond to Manston's proposals". Unthinkable!
Herne Bay, Peter Vickery-Jones Manston, Night flights, TDC Thanet rejects Manston night flights
More than 2,000 residents air their views
More than 2,000 residents took the time to air their views as part of the council’s public consultation on proposals for regular night-time flying at Manston Airport. The majority were opposed to the implementation of regular night-time flying, with approximately 73% opposed, 26% in favour and 1% not clearly stating a position.
Clive Hart, Consultation Manston, Night flights, TDC Consultation results
Well, the results are in for Canterbury district, and the answer is a clear "No" to night flights.
Of the 230 responses, 80% were against Manston's proposals.
So, where are the results for Thanet?
CCC, Consultation Manston, Night flights, TDC Planning permission for Manston
Manston airport sale "a chance to introduce proper planning"
News that Manston airport is up for sale is confirmation that the local infrastructure is not sufficient to sustain an airport, according to one of the most respected campaign group in the country.
Manston’s New Zealand owner, lnfratil, announced it was selling the site because it wanted to “refocus its investment profile" and concentrate on retail, production and supplying gas and electricity. The move puts 123 jobs at risk.
The Campaign to Protect Rural England says the sale is an ideal chance for Thanet council to put into force planning regulations protecting the interests of residents
Infratil, Manston, Night flights, TDC Manston closure full of surprises
It was nothing to do with night flights, it was an investment decision (surprise, surprise), Labour feels vindicated and criticises Tories (surprise, surprise).
Airport boss calms jobs fears after Manston is put up for sale
Manston airport boss Charles Buchanan has insisted it will be "business as usual" at the airport, following the shock announcement of its sale last Thursday.
A statement from the airport said it was a decision that had arisen from operator Infratil "refocusing" its investment profile.
Charles Buchanan, Clive Hart, PwC Infratil, Manston, Night flights, TDC BAWC
OK folks, let's get a grip before hysteria takes hold.
There have been mutterings in the undergrowth for a while, and now ITV Meridian are obediently repeating the carefully leaked PR drivel. BAWC are going to save the whole of south-east England from flight congestion by, er, moving their flights from one part of the south-east to another.
Hmmm... well, first of all, we've been here before.
BAWC, Sandy Ezekiel Manston Airport CEOs upbeat
Two minds with but a single thought
Iain Cochrane, chief executive of Glasgow Prestwick Airport:
I believe this is an excellent opportunity for us to attract new investment into the airport to provide the stimulus for future growth.
STV 8th March 2012
Charles Buchanan, chief executive of Manston Airport:
This represents an opportunity for Manston to ... attract new investment into the airport and stimulate the growth needed to make it a success in the future.
kentonline 8th March 2012
Charles Buchanan, Iain Cochrane, Prestwick Reality hits home, Infratil leave town
Delusion has finally been swept away by the onslaught of reality and Infratil are throwing in the towel. This has been a long time coming, and Nostrildamus predicted it in November 2010.
Manston Airport has been put up for sale. Bosses at Kent International Airport told staff at 10.30am yesterday (Friday) morning. The shock decision was made by owners Infratil. The New Zealand-based company also plans to sell its airport at Prestwick near Glasgow.
Charles Buchanan, Complaints, Planning, S106, Sale Infratil, Manston, Night flights, TDC Manston Pickle
The already deprived residents of one of the poorest local authorities in England may soon be deprived of sleep, too — thanks to the ineptitude of Thanet council.
Thanet's Manston airport, owned by Kiwi conglomerate lnfratil, wants to operate flights throughout the night — mostly old, noisy freight 747s. The airport's boss, Charles "Manston" Buchanan, says this will somehow help create more than 3,000 jobs, as well as, one presumes, raging insomnia for the thousands of council taxpayers who live under the flight path.
Charles Buchanan, Private Eye Manston, Night flights, TDC