Pyramid Comment

This journal takes an alternative view on current affairs and other subjects. The approach is likely to be contentious and is arguably speculative. The content of any article is also a reminder of the status of those affairs at that date. All comments have been disabled. Any and all unsolicited or unauthorised links are absolutely disavowed.

Friday, September 19, 2008

China Gateway - Key Points


  • China Gateway is a vast new warehousing complex proposed for the heart of rural Thanet. The buildings would be so vast that they would be seen for miles around. 175 acres of prime farmland would be built on in a time of global food shortages.
  • This complex is to be built on top of Thanet’s natural drinking water supplies. This water comes from large underground lakes held in the chalk, which rely on rainfall to pass through and collect. Building on top will effectively seal the aquifer, threatening our precious drinking water. Pollution of the water is a real threat.
  • The rural heritage of Thanet will be gone forever. Opportunities for quality tourism will be lost.
  • The sacrifice is justified in the name of jobs. There are approximately 2000 people unemployed and looking for work in Thanet. But there is little evidence (and certainly no guarantees) that any of them will benefit from the development.
  • The developer has spoken of 3000 jobs, 1000 direct jobs and 2000 indirect. There is no information about what direct jobs might be. As for indirect jobs, a representative of the developers suggested that Thanet people would be needed to clean windows, mow grass produce blinds and signs and apply vending machine business.
  • The Chinese economy has been built of CHEAP labour, people working on a fraction of the minimum wage here. It appears, therefore, unlikely that Thanet workers would be employed in great numbers as this would effectively minimise companies’ profits.
  • This complex is described as “warehousing”. This indicates that quality production jobs would not be forthcoming; if it goes through, it will be a vast storage depot, distributing Chinese goods to the whole of the United Kingdom.
  • If all three phases of China Gateway go through, based on the “Conclusions” pages of the developer’s document, it is estimated that 17000 truck trips PER DAY will be required to service the distribution of these goods.
  • A Chinese investor stated that with the proximity of Manston airport as well, this complex could become a European hub of business. Noise, air and traffic pollution would be a nightmare.
  • These harsh facts spell out the DEATH of Thanet. Don’t think escaping as your homes may well have become blighted.
Contact your councillor NOW and ask him or her to vote against this plan. Come to the Public Meeting at 6.30 for 7.00pm on October 7 at Minster Hall, High St, Minster. And join us in PROTEST outside Margate Council Offices on 9th October 5pm and for the duration of the council meeting which starts at 6pm. This is the day the Council may vote to destroy our quality of life FOREVER. For more information, posters, leaflets, ring 01843 604253 or visit:

posted by Louis Brothnias @ 1:00 am