PLANS FOR MANSTON BUSINESS PARK TO BE CONSIDERED

Plans to build industrial and warehouse units on the Manston Business Park, originally submitted in 2008, will go back to Thanet District Council’s Planning Committee later this month (November).

The scheme was originally agreed at a full meeting of Thanet District Council in October 2008, subject to a suitable legal agreement. Because of the length of time that has passed since that decision, the entire application is being brought back to the Planning Committee, rather than just the legal agreement.

The application is to build a total of 15 buildings, one of which would be a “Gateway building” in the southeast corner of the development, which would house an exhibition hall with offices and restaurant. The other buildings would all be for industrial or warehouse use. The development is only on the existing Manston Business Park, which has been designated for economic development in the Thanet Local Plan.

The applicants have agreed that they will enter into a section 106 Agreement with Thanet District and Kent County Council to provide the following things:

• Junction improvements to the Spitfire Junction and at the Mount Pleasant roundabout,
• The introduction of measures to keep lorries away from local roads, particularly Acol village,
• Upgrades to the local cycle network,
• Providing a free shuttle bus for workers and visitors to the site, and
• The introduction of a local employment scheme, with the aim of achieving 50% local recruitment.

The applicant has confirmed that the proposed development is not dependent on any further development.

The application will be discussed at the next meeting of the Planning Committee on Wednesday 16 November at 7.00pm at the council offices in Cecil Square, Margate. The meeting will be open to the public.

All the comments submitted when the application was first considered will be taken into account when the committee makes its decision.