1.34 Manston Business Park is a prime business investment location, being strategically located at the centre of Thanet and adjacent to the former Manston Airport. It also has easy accessibility from the centres of population, the port at Ramsgate and excellent road links to the rest of Kent and the UK via the A299 and M2.

1.35 Approximately half of the site is owned by East Kent Opportunities which is a joint venture between Kent County Council and Thanet District Council. The aim for the joint venture is to bring forward economic growth and regeneration in Thanet. Manston Business Park is approximately half developed, and there is some infrastructure in place ready for the rest of the site to be developed. Whilst development on the site has been slow to come forward in the past, more recent developments have included speculative business units, and purpose built accommodation. The site provides a good opportunity for the relocation of existing growing business.

1.36 The focus for development of the site should be office, industrial and warehousing, whilst some mixed use including additional business support services and training facilities which demand a location outside of Westwood and of the coastal urban belt will be considered appropriate, where this would serve to attract new or support existing job creating development.

1.37 Development on this site will be expected to contribute to the delivery of the transport strategy particularly the extension of Columbus Avenue and improvements to Spitfire junction.

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 create an attractive environment compatible with its location and soft landscaping for boundaries adjoining the countryside.

2) Be accompanied by a transport assessment and travel plan in accordance with Policy TP01.