The representation period to examine the Development Consent Order of Manston Airport has opened today (3 September), giving interested parties a chance to make their views on the proposals known.
RiverOak Strategic Partners is proposing to reopen the airport as a cargo hub with a capacity for 12,000 movements per year, with some passenger and business aviation as well.
The firm, which was established in March 2017 to manage RiverOak’s interest in the defunct airport had previously made a submission to the Planning Inspectorate in April this year, but withdrew it in May due to not providing enough information in areas including funding for the project, classing it as nationally significant and environmental matters.
The updated application was submitted on 16 July and the Planning Inspectorate agreed to view the proposals on 14 August.
An examining authority will now be appointed to examine the application, and all interested parties and other statutory bodies will be notified of the appointment after it has been made.
Interested parties have until 8 October to register, then the Planning Inspectorate has three months to prepare for the examination, and during the pre-examination phase parties can register by making a Relevant Representation.
Manston Airport closed on 15 May 2014 and has been sold to developers to turn the site into houses, in a project known as Stone Hill Park.
US investment firm RiverOak Strategic Investments offered to act as an indemnity partner for a Compulsory Purchase Order with Thanet District Council, and when this proposal was rejected, the US company proposed a Development Consent Order, which it has been pursuing ever since.
Click here for a link to the proposals on the Planning Inspectorate’s website.
