NoNightFlights.info

Night Flights vote - political views

HBM — Tue, 29 May 2012 06:32:22 +0000

Night Flights vote - press coverage

HBM — Tue, 29 May 2012 05:56:00 +0000

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.

Night Flights vote

HBM — Thu, 24 May 2012 21:33:50 +0000

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.

Thursday 24th May

HBM — Mon, 21 May 2012 21:24:43 +0000

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.

Crunch vote on Manston night flights coming soon

HBM — Sat, 19 May 2012 17:34:00 +0000

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.

Location matters more than night flights

HBM — Fri, 18 May 2012 17:34:00 +0000

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.

No Nightie Flights!

HBM — Thu, 17 May 2012 17:38:00 +0000

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!

TDC oppose Manston Airport night flights

HBM — Fri, 11 May 2012 17:34:00 +0000

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

HBM — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 22:07:51 +0000

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.

Thanet Airport Working Party 4th April

HBM — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 23:30:01 +0000

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?