Modification Reference

Policy / Paragraph number

Main Modification

Reason for change

 MM/006

paragraph 1.12

1.12 In Thanet's town centres there is opportunity to capitalise on heritage assets and cultural and creative industries, creating vibrant hubs of innovation and entrepreneurship. This is increasingly the trend in Margate, particularly the Old Town which is has a number of cultural and creative industries. The Heritage Action Zone in Ramsgate also looks to achieve economic growth by using the historic environment as a catalyst. Research from 2016 has found that creative businesses in Thanet have grown by 84% in four years. It is recognised that Thanet's developing cultural and creative industry is an important component of the district's economic and social profile. It is, therefore, also important that it is both supported and encouraged to grow.

For clarity and effectiveness

Modification Reference

Policy / Paragraph number

Main Modification

Reason for change

 MM/007

Policy SP02

Policy SP02 - Economic Growth

A minimum of 5,000 additional jobs is planned for in Thanet to 2031. The aim is to accommodate inward investment in job creating development, the establishment of new businesses and expansion and diversification of existing firms. Sufficient sites and premises suited to the needs of business are identified and safeguarded for such uses. Manston Business Park is the key location for advanced manufacturing and large scale job creating development.

Land is identified and allocated to accommodate up to 53.5ha of employment space over the period to 2031. Land and premises considered suitable for continued and future employment use will be identified and protected for such purpose. Within the urban area, and the confines of villages as defined on the policies map, proposals for employment generating development on non-allocated sites will be supported in principle, subject to meeting the requirements of other policies in the Plan.

Thanet's town centres are priority areas for regeneration and employment generating development, including tourism and the cultural and creative industriesdiversification, will be encouraged.which will be supported.

The growth of the Port of Ramsgate is supported as a source of employment and as an attractor of inward investment.

New tourism development, which would extend or upgrade the range of tourist facilities particularly those that attract the staying visitor, increase the attraction of tourists to the area and extend the season, will be supported.

Development is supported that enhances the rural economy subject to protecting the character, quality and function of Thanet's rural settlements and natural environments.

For clarity and effectiveness

Modification Reference

Policy / Paragraph number

Main Modification

Reason for change

MM/008

Para 1.32

1.32 There is a need to keep a range of sites for cheap premises and business start ups. Thanet also needs to retain some sites that can accommodate uses such as paint spraying and tyre recycling. The range of sites includes some in the rural area to support the rural economy. A "flagship" site for inward investment that can also accommodate growing indigenous businesses is provided for at Manston Business Park. There is also a need for "flexible" sites where alternative non Class B uses will be allowed. This reflects the current trend and ensures land is provided to meet all types of economic development. For the purposes of applying Policy SP03 flexible uses include leisure, tourism and other town centre uses which, due to scale and format cannot be accommodated within town centres. They also include uses known as sui generis which do not fall into a category in the Use Classes Order. These include uses such as car showrooms and crèches.

For clarity and effectiveness

Modification Reference

Policy / Paragraph number

Main Modification

Reason for change

 MM/009

Policy SP03

Policy SP03 - Land Allocated for Economic Development

The following sites are allocated for business and employment generating purposes:

Manston Business Park, Manston

Eurokent (part)*, Ramsgate

Thanet Reach Business Park, Broadstairs

Hedgend Industrial Estate, St Nicholas

At Manston Business Park and Hedgend Industrial Estate development will be restricted to use classes B1 (business), B2 (general industry) and B8 (storage and distribution). Eurokent is allocated for flexible business use in accordance with Policy SP07 (2)* Thanet Reach Business Park is also suitable for education related uses as well as B1 and B8 uses.

Development proposals must be accompanied by a transport assessment and travel plan in accordance with Policy TP01 and provide for at least one electric vehicle charging point for every 10 spaces provided.

* Eurokent is athese are flexible employment sites, where a wider range of employment generating uses will be allowed in addition to B1, B2 and B8 uses. Development must be compatible with neighbouring uses. Proposals for main town centre usesover and above 2000sqm for which planning permission has already been granted should also comply with Policy E05 - the sequential test. Flexible employment uses These uses will be expected to contribute towards the Local Employment and Training Fund.

Development proposals must provide for at least one electric vehicle charging point for every 10 spaces provided.

For clarity and effectiveness

Modification Reference

Policy / Paragraph number

Main Modification

Reason for change

 MM/010

Policy SP04

Policy SP04 - Manston Business Park

Manston Business Park is allocated and safeguarded for business purposes within classes B1 (business), B2 (general industry) and B8 (storage and distribution).

Development proposals will need to comply with all of the following criteria:

1) Provide Green Infrastructure to ensure that proposals take into account the location of the site and the rural character and appearance of the immediate surrounding area create an attractive environment compatible with its location and soft landscaping for boundaries adjoining the countryside.

2) Provide necessary on-site transport infrastructure and proportionate contributions to the improvement of the 'Spitfire Junction' and the Columbus Avenue extension Be accompanied by a transport assessment and travel plan in accordance with Policy TP01.

For clarity and effectiveness

Modification Reference

Policy / Paragraph number

Main Modification

Reason for change

 MM/011

Paragraphs 1.38 - 1.45

1.38 Following the closure of Manston Airport in May 2014, the Council has made significant efforts to support a functioning aviation use on the site and has explored its CPO powers in

seeking an indemnity partner and carried out extensive soft market testing to seek an airport operator to run the airport.

1.39 In order to satisfy the requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), the Council commissioned an airport viability study by Avia Solutions. This was to look at

whether an airport was a viable option for the site within the plan period to 2031. This report took into account national and international air travel and transport and the way in which it is

likely to develop over the next 15-20 years and looked at previous reports and developments in national aviation.

1.40 The report concluded that airport operations at Manston are very unlikely to be financially viable in the longer term, and almost certainly not possible in the period to 2031.

1.41 However, tThe Council recognises thate proposals are being put forward by RiverOak Strategic Partners for an aAirport cargo operation at the site through a proposed development consent order (DCO), pursuant to the Planning Act 2008. The and the fact that an application for a Development Consent Order (DCO) is before the Secretary of State is to be submitted imminently/has been submitted to the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) for consideration and the proposals are subject to thorough scrutiny as part of this process. A DCO, if granted, would give consent for the project in recognition of its national importancei s a consent by a Secretary of State for a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP). A DCO and may not only provides planning consent for a project, but may also incorporate other consents and include authorisation for the compulsory acquisition of land to assist in the achievement of its objectives. To ensure that the NSIP-DCO process is not prejudiced, the Council is proposing not to allocate the Airport site for any specific purpose in the draft Local Plan.

1.42 This also provides the opportunity for any other interested parties to pursue the operational use of the airport through agreement with the landowners or through becoming an indemnity partner as part of a potential CPO process with the Council.

1.43 In the meantime, the site has an existing use for aviation, subject to other relevant legislation.

1.44 If a DCO for aviation use at the site is granted, this would require a partial review of the Local Plan in relation to housing land supply provisions, aviation and environmental policies

and other related matters.

1.45In the event that a DCO is not accepted or granted, or does not proceed, the Council will need to consider the best use for this site, in the next Local Plan review after a minimum of two years.

1.44 If a DCO for Airport use is granted, the early review of the Plan will need to take this into account as well as its implications for other policies in the Plan and consequential land use considerations. In the event that the DCO is not granted or does not proceed, the Council will similarly need to consider the most appropriate use for the site as part of the early review.

To update the Plan in relation to the DCO process, and to improve clarity and effectiveness.

Modification Reference

Policy / Paragraph number

Main Modification

Reason for change

 MM/012

New Policy SP05

Policy SP05 - Manston Airport

Manston Airport as identified on the Policies Map is safeguarded for airport related uses. Whether or not the DCO is confirmed, the future use and development of Manston Airport and/or other policies affected by the outcome of the DCO process will be determined through the early review of the Plan.

For clarity and effectiveness