23 September 2014
Manston Airport in Kent has been sold to regeneration specialists, marking the end of the land’s use as an airfield. The site will be developed for manufacturing, housing and schools. It has been reported that a 20-year £1bn redevelopment to “create more than 4,000 jobs” is planned.
Roger Gale, Tory MP for Thanet North, has said it is in the “national and the local interest” for Manston to remain open as an airfield, adding he would oppose housing development plans in the interests of those he represents.
Manston Airport closed in May 2014, with the loss of nearly 150 jobs. TG Aviation, a flying school previously based at Manston, has now relocated to Lydd.
Another airfield’s era sadly drew to a close this week, as Panshanger officially shut on 20th September, with its final day of operations on 14 September. However, residents’ group Panshanger People still hopes to persuade the borough council not to earmark it for housing in planning guidance which is expected to be published shortly.
A report commissioned by consultancy York Aviation suggests that several significant local businesses are very supportive of the airfield. Find out more about the campaign and development plans at <a href=’http://panshangerpeople.org.uk/’ target=’_blank’>panshangerpeople.org.uk</a>
