Decision details

Receive a first stage viability report on Manston Airport

1.  THAT Cabinet accepts the recommendations contained within the Stage 1 Evaluation and Validation report;

2.  THAT Cabinet shares the report with the current owner of Manston to enable discussions with a view to establishing a way forward;

3.  THAT Cabinet instructs Officers to proceed to Stage 2 of the viability assessment to develop a high level Business Plan which will be necessary to support the Local Plan process and any potential future procurement for an appropriate investor/partner;

4.  THAT Cabinet instructs Officers to undertake a market testing exercise (prior to any full procurement process) to establish the level of interest in line with the conclusions in the Evaluation and Validation report.

To protect the district’s economic interest in the light of Manston’s closure.

Not to proceed with the viability study or market test.  Rejected as not to proceed would not address the problems caused by the airport’s closure.