The company behind plans to reopen the Manston Airport in Kent has appointed consultancy Amec Foster Wheeler to conduct an EIA to support its application for a development consent order.
RiverOak Investments, which wants to turn the site into a hub for airfreight and an aircraft recycling facility, said it intends to apply for a comprehensive DCO encompassing the compulsory purchase of the site. In May, Thanet District Council abandoned its search for an indemnity partner to launch a compulsory purchase order.
A DCO helps secure permission for developments categorised as nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIP). RiverOak spokesperson George Yerrall said: ‘Manston has a strong case to be considered a NSIP as it offers much-needed runway capacity in the south east of England.’ The US-based firm said the EIA would cover a range of issues, including noise, air and water quality, transport impact and historic environment.
Meanwhile, Stone Hill Park, the company that owns the airport site, has submitted a planning application to the council for a mixed-use scheme, comprising a business park, up to 2,500 homes and sports and leisure facilities.
The airport closed in May 2014.
