DOZENS of Manston residents turned out last week to voice their fears over the proposed China Gateway Project and the impact it could have on their way of life.

Families from Bell Davies Drive, Beamont Close, Alland Grange Lane and Manston Road - areas which border the earmarked area - launched their campaign last week to fight the scheme which, they say, would see unsightly warehouse buildings on the doorsteps of their homes, blocking their views and shutting out daylight. They fear heavy vehicles would be going to and from the park day and night, making the area unsafe for their children.

Around 60 people, including many children symbolically waving bottles of water, gathered on a green overlooking the land intended for the first two stages of a three phase development which would, in all, take up about 75 acres.

The ground on which the China Gateway Project would stand is a major part of the chalk aquifer which supplies water to thousands of households and businesses across Thanet. The chalk acts as a natural holding area for the water which is moved on by the Sparrow Castle pumping station further along Manston Road.

The Environment Agency is insisting a number of conditions be met before planning permission is granted to protect the water supply from any accidental leak or spillage of industrial waste into the ground.

Thanet Council announced last week it was allowing more time for objections to the scheme and has extended the deadline until the end of June. Letters can be sent to Doug Brown, Planning Officer, Thanet District Council, PO Box 9, Cecil Street, Margate, Kent CT9 1XZ.

For full story, see the Thanet Extra, oput on Wednesday May 14