RiverOak pledges to stop auction of airport assets

The American firm which has pledged to underwrite a compulsory purchase of Manston airport says it will take out an injunction to halt the further sale of assets at the site. RiverOak Investment Corp, of Stamford, Connecticut, says it will make the move to stop the "scorched earth" auction of vital airport goods, such as the control tower, off field lighting and communication systems, in September if Thanet council agrees to a commercial partnership.

RiverOak technical advisor, and Kent County Councillor for Sturry and Herne, Alan Marsh said it is vital Thanet council agrees to move forward with a CPO on Manston and announces the US firm as its preferred partner on Thursday. He added:

"As soon as TDC announce their commitment to working with RiverOak then RiverOak has, in this country, a legal position through which it can then go to the Inns of Court for an injunction, or whatever legal means needed, to prevent the September auction. But, if TDC keep talking about it but do not go forward, RiverOak will have no legal position because that position can only start when TDC go ahead with the CPO with RiverOak as preferred partner."

The firm sent a letter last week outlining its proposal to indemnify TDC against any costs of the CPO and the sale price of the airport. A Heads of Terms document, outlining a full agreement, was also sent after legal advice.

Mr Marsh, a trained pilot who has taken 3,000 flights out of Manston and was previously a test pilot for the and European Commission, said time is now of the essence with one asset auction taking place this week and the second, of major equipment, just weeks away. Another spokesman for RiverOak said if the main assets are sold it could cost £5 million to replace them.

The company says it believes Manston could be viable for air freight, aviation services including maintenance, recycling, private charter and commercial passenger services. It claims the experience of one of its senior team members in refinancing Alliance Fort Worth Airport in Texas had proved the case. The firm says it can turn Manston around from the annual £3 million losses before closure to breaking even in 16 months.

But an agreement to go forward with the CPO and partner RiverOak at last night's Cabinet meeting did not look likely. The council has received an initial consultant's report on the future of Manston airport and its possible compulsory purchase. The review, by Falcon Consultancy Limited, says Manston is unlikely to be successful unless it changes the way it is operated, although it "could be viable on the basis of a 20-year business plan that sets out a phased development of the airport".

At the meeting, cabinet members were due to be asked to decide whether they accepted the recommendations in the report and to share this with the airport's current owners. A further stage of developing a business plan and market testing would then follow. A CPO decision would involve a procurement process to identify an indemnity partner, says TDC.

Deputy leader Richard Nicholson said that process could "take quite a while", citing the Dreamland CPO as an example, and said the council was duty bound to approach airport owner Ann Gloag to see if there was any way to avoid the CPO.

A spokesman for Kent Facilities Ltd said:

"The auction is all part of the ongoing process of the decommissioning of the former airport site. The decision to pursue a CPO is a matter for the council and any potential partners to consider."

RiverOak sent the letter to Thanet council leader Iris Johnston, deputy leader Richard Nicholson and senior officers pledging to underwrite a Compulsory Purchase Order for Manston airport. The firm, which offered the full £7 million asking price for Manston prior to closure in May, but had its offer rejected by the current owner, pledged to take on the costs in a "back to back" agreement with TDC.

The online auction for Manston airport assets took place on Wednesday and yesterday (Thursday). More than 700 lots, including vehicles, duty-free goods, fire equipment, forklift trucks and container loaders, generators and furniture and equipment from the passenger terminal and security areas, went under the hammer.

Peaker Pattinson auctioneers plan to hold the second sale, by tenders only, in September.

Thanet Gazette 6th Aug 2014

Ann Gloag and Cllr Iris Johnston to meet in London

A high level delegation from Thanet Council will meet businesswoman Ann Gloag in London on Thursday after she shut Manston Airport. The long-awaited meeting will be led by Thanet council leader Cllr Iris Johnston, together with her deputy Cllr Richard Nicholson, acting council chief executive Madeline Homer, and a legal representative.

It is the crunch get-together that the council, MPs, businesses and organisations, plus former Manston employees and residents has been urging for many weeks. Cllr Johnston said:

“We are going to see Mrs Gloag and to outline the situation as we see it and to hear in person what she has to say. We will ask her for her reasons for declining offers that have been made re the airport and any updates on her decision that led to the closure and loss of jobs. She has treated me with courtesy before when we spoke on the phone and I am glad she had made time in her busy schedule to meet with us.”

Cllr Johnston described the meeting as “critical for the future of the airport.” She added:

“From an economic development point it is vital for Thanet to tell our potential investors that we have our own airport.”

Cllr Johnson said has received a petition of almost 8,000 signatures urging the district council to compulsorily purchase Manston. She added:

“We are exploring all avenues. A CPO is a possibility we will look at but it is a complicated procedure for a local authority and we will need a watertight arrangement with a third party if we are going to proceed this way.”

The American company RiverOak tried to buy the airport; its chief executive Steve DeNardo and fellow directors have reaffirmed their desire to buy the site, and have met with Thanet MPs Sir Roger Gale and Laura Sandys. The company has had three offers turned down by the site’s owners including an offer made on the day of closure which met the asking price.

Cllr Johnson, who is meeting East Kent and Medway authority chief executives and leaders, and Thanet Regeneration Board among others, to keep Manston alive, said expanding the current enterprise zone from the Richborough corridor into Thanet to include Manston would be essential to attract investors to the area. She added:

“We are all trying our very best to ensure that Manston airport has a future.”

She plans to meet with Kent County Council leader Cllr Paul Carter on Friday, July 4, after her meeting with Mrs Gloag.

Kent Online 30th Jun 2014

TDC has lost control of Manston

At first I thought that might be a surprising, or even shocking, headline. But on reflection, I'm sorry to say it isn't. At all.

TDC have never really chosen to exercise any control; Manston does pretty much whatever it likes; and us poor sods who live under the flight path (especially those who have used Manston's pitiful complaints system) are all too well aware that Manston operates what is technically termed "uncontrolled airspace".

All this relates to the now infamous 5th October "Wakey Wakey Ramsgate" incident. As you will see from their confession, Manston ignored the S106 agreement and flew planes in and out through the night.

If they get their way with their next night flights application, we'll be getting this kind of misery every night. Click HERE to see who to write to, and keep writing to them until the penny drops.

---

Dear Ms. Homer,

You will note from the response below that these old crates arrived AND departed during the night period. Perhaps you can explain to me why TDC thinks that this is acceptable.

Previous complaints to Infratil have established that late arrivals are always blamed on delays at some godforsaken African runway or another. I fail to see how this excuse can be wheeled out to explain why Infratil is allowing freighters to be scheduled to DEPART during the night period. Richard Nicholson will confirm that it was never TDC's intention to allow this and the Section 106 was intended to prevent any such unacceptable activity from taking place.

Unless you are planning to take some action of which I am unaware I think it is clear that TDC has lost control of this situation. The admission that the Council has failed to monitor the airport's activities, even after being warned, was bad enough. Now, we are seeing the result of years of neglect by TDC in failing to renegotiate and update the Section 106 Agreement.

---

We are sorry that you have found cause to complain about the operation of the Airport and apologise for any disturbance caused. As the operators of Manston, Kent’s International Airport, we are very conscious of the noise generated by the Airport in the local community. For this reason, Manston has in place operational guidelines for all aircraft operators designed to minimise airport related noise on the community. Your complaint has been investigated and the aircraft concerned was operating in accordance with safe working practice. Details of the Aircraft operating around the time you mention is as follows:-

Manston night-flying consultation delayed

Manston airport’s night-time flying consultation has been delayed as airport-operator Infratil has been forced to check its facts. New noise assessments produced independently by the council have led to it asking the airport to review its application and the public consultation has been halted until Infratil reviews its proposal.

Thanet council received an application from Infratil in late September to extend flying hours at Manston and grant permission for a number of night flights for heavy freight planes. However, a draft report investigating the potential noise impact of night-flying prompted councillors to reject Infratil’s plans on Monday. Bob Bayford, council leader, said: 

"After careful consideration over the last couple of weeks, the proposals that have been submitted have insufficient detail in some areas to be acceptable to the council. I believe that, before residents have their say, they need to know more detail and have a full understanding of exactly how many aircraft movements are being discussed. That information is difficult to gauge from the proposals that have been put to us and this needs further work. I also believe the proposed upper level of activity is too high and needs to be reconsidered.

"I’m not prepared to start a public consultation until these issues have been resolved. I’m pleased to say that the airport has agreed to review these issues. The council remains supportive of the airport and maximising the employment opportunities it can create and sustain, but this cannot be at any price for local residents. As a council, we need to balance the economic benefits carefully against environmental considerations. The proposed night-time flying policy doesn’t fully allow us to do that as it leaves uncertainties that need to be clarified before we consult the public.

"I have confirmed with the airport that they will receive a copy of our adviser’s report as soon as it’s finalised. From this, they have agreed to develop fuller information that we will consult on. I recognise, as does the airport, that this may take time, but it is important to get this right."

Meanwhile, Thanet’s Labour group voted unanimously to reject the current application at a meeting on Thursday evening, October 28th. Richard Nicholson, shadow cabinet member for regeneration and economic development, said:

"Many issues of concern were raised, but in essence it was felt the alluded-to benefits in terms of jobs were merely an aspiration rather than concrete. And it is clear in our minds these do not in any way compensate for the environmental and quality-of-life issues for the thousands who would be adversely affected."

The Labour group is calling for a review of the existing Section 106 environmental agreement with the airport. Mr Nicholson said:

"Clearly much more needs to be looked at and put right even under the current Section 106.  Primarily, it needs to be enforced properly, renegotiated, flying routes need clarifying and vastly improved and the whole 106 needs improving after what is now 10 years.  It was abundantly clear that even now the envelope on what Infratil asked for was being expanded. The airport does indeed provide an opportunity for jobs in the Thanet area, but there is much more daytime capacity which could be utilised before any other options are needed. Furthermore, we feel that any changes such as the one sought at present may require planning permission and Thanet council needs to fully explore this."

  Alan Poole, shadow cabinet member for environmental services, said:

"Concerns were raised about the environmental and health impacts on local residents, particularly sleep deprivation caused by aircraft noise."

Clipping: kentnews

Labour's 'no' to flights at night

Clipping: thisiskent

THANET'S Labour group will oppose Manston airport's night-flying application, claiming the promise of jobs is merely an aspiration. All 20 Labour district councillors debated at a meeting last week the pros and cons of airport owner Infratil's proposal for regular flights between 11.30pm and 6am. Shadow cabinet member for regeneration Richard Nicholson said:

"Many issues of concern were raised but in essence it was felt the alluded-to benefits in terms of jobs were merely an aspiration rather than concrete. And it is clear in our minds these do not in any way compensate for the environmental and quality-of- life issues for the thousands who would be aversely affected."

The group believes the ten-year-old agreement between the airport and Thanet council – called a section 106 – is out of date. Labour leader Clive Hart said:

"While we are rejecting this application, we are equally adamant that both monitoring of operations and updating of all the section 106 is also vital. Labour is ready to sit down with others at TDC to seek the way forward to ensure that residents in Thanet can have much more confidence in the standards and application of a new 106 agreement."

By saul leese saul.leese@krnmedia.co.uk

TDC Labour Group reject night flying application

Excellent news from Thanet Labour - they've rejected the ridiculous night flying application from Manston owners Infratil at a Labour Group meeting last night.

They cite the "alluded to jobs figures", "quality of life issues for the thousands who would be adversely effected" and the current "section 106 ...needing to be properly enforced and renegotiated".

They also recognise that the airport does provide "opportunity for jobs in the Thanet area but there is much much more day time capacity which could be utilised".

"Concerns were raised about the environmental and health impacts on local residents, particularly sleep deprivation caused by aircraft noise."

Couldn't agree more!

No Night Flights is not a party political group, and will equally cheer from the rooftops when local Conservative Groups and Liberal Democrat Groups come to the same conclusions.

---

THANET LABOUR GROUP REJECT INFRATIL NIGHT FLYING APPLICATION

The Labour Group at Thanet District Council has decided not to support the current application by Infratil for Night Flying operations at Manston Airport. At a meeting last night which was solely concerned with this application the Labour Group discussed the pros and cons and the ramifications for the residents of Thanet.

Cllr Richard Nicholson, Shadow Cabinet member for Regeneration and Economic Development said, "After a interesting debate the Group unanimously rejected the night flight proposals. Many issues of concern were raised but in essence it was felt the alluded to benefits in terms of jobs were merely an aspiration rather than concrete. And it is clear in our minds these do not in anyway compensate for the environmental and quality of life issues for the thousands who would be aversely effected.

Clearly much more needs to be looked at and put right even under the current Section 106. Primarily it needs to be;

• Enforced properly
• It needs to be re negotiated
• Flying routes need clarifying and vastly improved
• And the whole 106 needs improving after what is now 10 years

It was abundantly clear that even now the envelope on what Infratil asked for was being expanded. The airport does indeed provide an opportunity for jobs in the Thanet area but there is much much more day time capacity which could be utilised before any other options are needed. Furthermore we feel that any changes such as the one sought at present may require planning permission and TDC needs to fully explore this."

Cllr Clive Hart Leader of the Labour Group said, "I was proud of the quality of our debate, which I can assure Thanet residents, covered all issues for and against. Whilst we are rejecting this application we are equally adamant that both monitoring of operations and updating of all the section 106 is also vital. Thanet Labour Group is ready to sit down with others at TDC to seek the way forward to ensure residents in Thanet can have much more confidence in the standards and application of a new 106 agreement."

Cllr Alan Poole, Shadow Cabinet Member for Environmental Services said "concerns were raised about the environmental and health impacts on local residents, particularly sleep deprivation caused by aircraft noise."

Cllr Nicholson 580057
Cllr Hart 298770
Cllr Poole 602594

Published by Thanet Labour Group Press Office, 44 Northdown Road, Margate, CT9 2RW.

More night time flights for Manston?

Controversial plans for more night time flights Kent International Airport at Manston are being considered by the local council. The proposals, which could become a reality as early as this May, would see dozens more flights into Kent International Airport every month. The first planes would take off or land at Manston from 6am and would operate until 11.30pm.

Airport owner Infratril is currently in talks with a major European airline that wants to use the site for long haul international cargo movements. The unnamed company hopes to fly 747 aircraft into airport up to 11 times a week. The plan would require a step change to the section 106 environmental agreement that restricts the airport's operations and is likely to be met with opposition.

Cllr Richard Nicholson, leader of Thanet Labour group, said he was appalled, angry and surprised at the detail of the announcement, which was made unexpectedly at a hastily-called press conference this morning. He said:

"It's wrong that information should be released to the media and therefore the public at a conference arranged by the council when many of its own members had no idea of the conference or of its content. Infratil has indicated it wants alterations to the night flying policy, which is the right and proper way to proceed. But the Section 106 agreement advises that there should be a substantial consultation period before any alterations are made to agreed flying times."

Councillors will debate the issue at an extraordinary meeting next Thursday and, if approved, a revised Section 106 agreement would be in place for the next 18 months. Thanet council says the document would then be reviewed every six months until a comprehensive night time flying policy covering the period from 2010 and 2018 is drawn up. Cllr Roger Latchford, deputy leader of Thanet council, said:

"The application has only just come in and the council is moving quickly to ensure that everyone is able to have their say on it."

kentonline 4th Feb 2009