Dover District Council has welcomed the decision of the Secretary of State for Transport to make the Manston Airport Development Consent Order (DCO), paving the way for the redevelopment and re-opening of the airport as a cargo hub by RiverOak Strategic Partners.
Commenting on the decision, Cllr Trevor Bartlett, Leader of Dover District Council, said: “We welcome the decision to grant a Development Consent Order for Manston to return to use as an airport.
“We have publicly stated our support for the re-opening of Manston Airport and the opportunities that renewed cargo and passenger air links can bring to boost economic development throughout East Kent.
“Together with our port infrastructure, and high speed rail links, this has the potential to create one of the best connected areas of the country for trade and investment.
"DDC is already actively involved in discussions about airport-related skills to make sure local people can take advantage of future job opportunities."
Note to editors
Dover District Council passed a motion in support of the retention of Manston Airport in July 2014:
“The Council supports the campaign to retain Manston as an operational airport, recognising the role and place it can have in the UK aviation industry, making better use of regional capacity in accordance with the views of the South East Local Enterprise Partnership, while making a significant contribution to the strategic priorities for the regeneration of the East Kent area.”
For more information on the Manston Airport DCO, see the National Infrastructure Planning website.
Posted on 10 July 2020