Manston Airport In Kent can reopen for freight after the Secretary of State granted it a Development Consent Order yesterday.
The result marks a huge victory for local campaigners who have fought for years to prevent the site being used for housing.
A Development Consent Order granting approval for the air freight hub was initially granted in July 2020 but quashed in February 2021 following a Judicial Review challenge by Ramsgate resident Jenny Dawes.
Fresh approval has now been issued by Transport Minister, Karl McCartney MP, and the DCO will come into force from 8th September 2022.
The site is in ownership of RSP after a £16million buy out from previous owners Stone Hill Park who had hoped to gain permission for a multi-use housing, business and leisure development.
RSP aims to create aviation at the site with a cargo hub and associated business. Plans for construction will be phased over 15 years and will include 19 freight stands and four passenger stands for aircraft as well as warehousing and fuel storage.
RSP say the airport will operate its first cargo services in early 2025
RSP director Tony Freudmann said “Today is a day to celebrate the culmination of years of campaigning. I would like to pay tribute to the extraordinary army of Manston Airport supporters who have never given up hope of seeing new life breathed into this historic aviation asset”.
RSP says Manston will be built to be Carbon Net Zero from scratch and will provide much needed economic and employment stimulus to the area.
Alongside the work needed to return Manston to operational status, RSP says it will now accelerate its local procurement programme and partnership work with a range of business, education, training and local authority organisations.
