Manston Airport acquired

The former Manston Airport site in Kent has been acquired by regeneration specialists Trevor Cartner and Chris Musgrave.  The new owners envisage a £1bn redevelopment of the 800-acre site, over a 20-year period, into a mixed-use scheme helping to create more than 4,000 jobs.

The partnership has extensive experience of large-scale regeneration projects and is part of the Discovery Park consortium that is transforming the former Pfizer facility in Sandwich, Kent.  The airport was sold by Ann Gloag (see  BTN 12 May 2014) and the financial details were not disclosed.

Plans for the site are likely to include production and warehousing space in the development, which will meet a current shortage of space in Thanet for companies to grow and expand.  It is unlikely to be relicensed as an airport.

Another, but much smaller aerodrome that is likely to be lost for flying purpose is Panshanger near Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, on the A1 north of London.  Colin Chapman, of Lotus Cars fame, and more recently Grant Shapps, local MP, Conservative Party Chairman and Minister without Portfolio, both soloed for the first time off the grass field.  It is likely to become a housing estate.   www.northlondonflyingschool.com

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