“An aviation future for Manston is clearly in sight”, says Craig after Stone Hill Park sale of site to RSP

South Thanet MP, Craig Mackinlay, has welcomed Stone Hill Park’s decision to sell the former Manston Airport site to a subsidiary of Riveroak Strategic Partners (RSP).

The decision was revealed in the submission of a letter to the Planning Inspectorate, published earlier today, as part of the Development Consent Order process that has been in progress since being accepted for examination in August 2018.

Exchange of contracts has now taken place and completion of the transaction is expected by 11th July 2019 at the latest.

The sale boosts campaigners’ hopes to turn Manston Airport – which closed in 2014 – into a job-creating cargo and freight hub with additional opportunities for ancillary services and passenger transport that will logically follow.

Craig Mackinlay MP commented:

“This is an extremely positive and essential move forward on the road to bringing back Manston Airport. It creates real certainty that an aviation future for Manston is clearly in sight.

CM with Save Manston Airport campaign

“I have been saying for as long as anyone would listen that a clean sale and purchase would be the eventual outcome and I am pleased that common sense has prevailed between the parties. This has also proved that RSP have had the wherewithal and access to funding throughout to turn their plans into reality.

“Manston has the potential to generate a substantial number of jobs in a relatively short period of time. Areas of the country with successful airports have next to zero unemployment; they become magnets for inward investment and business activity.

“Thanet Conservatives have, for many years, always kept the faith on the Manston issue and so I’m delighted that another significant milestone has been reached.

“I will continue to use my practical business experience to work with all involved, including Manston’s local MP Roger Gale, to ensure the Airport re-opens and that new aviation operations can work together with Thanet residents for mutual benefit.”

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