MANSTON

The council has suggested exploring the extension of the Discovery Park Enterprise Zone to cover Manston Airport as well as the Manston Business Park and Richborough Corridor.

Leader of Thanet District Council and Cabinet Member for Economic Development Cllr Clive Hart proposed an emergency motion on Thursday 20 March to crucial regional meetings concerning exploring the extension of the enterprise zone. This was discussed at the Kent Leader’s meeting and at the Thanet Regeneration Board.

Cllr Hart said, ‘I put forward this emergency motion so that we could explore the possibility of extending the Enterprise Zone from Discovery Park at Richborough. I’ve suggesting discussing extending this to cover the Richborough corridor, which is a former power station site, Manston Business Park and Manston Airport itself. The council has been clear that it has supported the airport and this could help us find the best opportunity to either save the airport in its current form or find the best possible future for the site, whichever scenario plays out. This proposal was well-received and it is reassuring that this has been discussed.’

This comes after the operators of Manston Airport confirmed that they have commenced a process of consultation over the possible closure of the airport.

TDC