New consultation dates announced for Manston airport site proposals

Manston airport

The firm aiming to bring aviation back to Manston airport has announced two public consultation dates.

RiverOak Strategic Partners is proposing to reopen Manston airport as an air freight hub with associated business aviation and passenger services.

The company had planned to submit an application for a Development Consent Order to the Planning Inspectorate to allow a compulsory purchase of the site by the end of this year. It bought out the DCO rights from the original proposing company RiverOak corporation last December.

But that date has now been delayed to allow for more public consultation.

RSP will hold the events on January 23 at the Comfort Inn in Ramsgate between 2pm and 8pm and on January 24 at The Kings Hall, Herne Bay, from 2pm to 8pm.

Site owners Stone Hill Park held consultation events last month on their reworked proposals for housing, business, heritage and leisure space at the site.

An updated application will be lodged with Thanet council in the new year.