My understanding is that this information comes
from a staff briefing this morning. I will add more information as it becomes available at the moment all I have is that the consortium promoted by Sir Roger
Gale have given no reason for withdrawing
their offer.
There isn’t anything on any of the news sites
yet but I will add the links when and if the news becomes available.
The picture is from the book I publish about the
early days of commercial flights from Manston, “Twilight of the Pistons” here
is the link to it, sample pages and how to buy it online if you are interested http://www.michaelsbookshop.com/catalogue/1997_twilight_of_pistons.htm
Update; Here are the promised links to the news items:
http://www.thanetgazette.co.uk/Manston-Airport-offer-withdrawn/story-20898633-detail/story.html
The gist of all the emerging news items is:
Ann Gloag’s representative confirmed this morning (Wednesday)
that the bid for the airport submitted by the consortium last Thursday
afternoon has been withdrawn.
Essentially the airport closure staff consultation
continues.
My own take on the airport remains that while I support a
regional airport with definite future parameters on the extent of the number of
flights and a reasonable understanding of both the economic benefits to the
area, the noise and other pollution factors I have never been supportive of the
airport running as it has recently with no environmental permit and
considerable uncertainty about the extent of future activity there.
The whole business of regulating the airport with a S106
agreement rather than the normal situation, which would be a planning consent
with an associated public enquiry combined with various operators failure to
comply with the environment agency’s basic water pollution regulations, should
have been seen as a temporary and short term measure.
Having uncertainty over the number of flights per day over
Ramsgate for a long period of time has definitely had a considerable down side
and I guess now the only solution is to look toward the benefits trying to be supportive
of development there.
I also think that the aviation activates at Manston which
hold long leases need to look towards securing a joint future particularly in
terms of consolidating those parts of the site that they potentially will hold
for a considerable time.
Thanks for the update
ReplyDeleteI just hope my information is accurate anon, my Manston sources are pretty jumpy at the moment.
DeleteNo wonder you're running a junk shop if you thought there ever was a Gale consortium.
ReplyDeleteBetter running a junk shop than watching your wife struggling to run a restaurant while you sit on your fat making fool comments on blog sites.
DeleteDont worry if its not correct im sure she has always had plans for manston its no surprise that 3 large company's have showed an interest in Ramsgate in a short time
ReplyDeletethanks anyway its so hard to find out about whats happening
Those three companies clearly know nothing about our future mayor, Tim.
Deletewhat 3 companies would that be then anon10.44
DeleteThe story is now being carried on the Isle of Thanet Gazete site, with confirmation from the Thanet North MP that the offer has been withdrawn. Interesting to see what happens next and if any explanation emerges about the reasons for the withdrawal.
ReplyDeleteWhat's all this about sand blowing from Manston and polluting the Sahara? Time for change.
ReplyDelete