Weekly airport market at Manston Airport, Manston Road, Manston

What was proposed

The application sought a temporary change of use of part of the airport to a weekly market for five years.

“LOCATION: Temporary change of use of part of airport (Sui Generis) to a weekly market for five years.”

Officer report

The site

The site comprises hardstanding around the airport terminal and car parks, accessed from Manston Road.

“The site is located on the southern side of Manston Road and comprises hardstanding surrounding the airport terminal building and car parks. Access to the site is from the existing access on Manston Road.”

Officer report

Planning history

The wider airport site has extensive planning history, including a Manston Airport Development Consent Order granted in August 2022.

“There is an extensive planning history for the wider airport site, of most relevance is the Manston Airport Development Consent Order 2022 which was granted in August 2022.”

Officer report

Officers’ recommendation

Officers recommended approval because the temporary use, existing hardstanding and limited works would not prevent airport-related use returning.

“The site is located on Manston Airport and, therefore, policy SP07 of the Thanet Local Plan applies. This policy states that "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.”

“This proposal is for a temporary use of five years and it has been indicated that this use does not require any building works or engineering operations to be completed. Furthermore the applicant has served notice on the owner of the site, who control the lease for the development, meaning that the owner of the airport would be able to bring aviation uses subject to all other relevant consent.”

Officer report

Main effects considered

Officers considered the market would not cause significant harm to the area’s character, nearby living conditions, highway safety or biodiversity.

“The movements to and from the site are significant due to the number of vehicles involved, however given the existing access and parking, and that the market has been operating without any observed impacts, the highways impacts of this development are not considered to be so significant as to warrant refusal of the application. It is considered appropriate to condition that the parking spaces are made available each market day.”

“The applicant has indicated that the market has been operating one day a week on the site for some time and no impacts upon the character and appearance of the area, living conditions of nearby property occupiers, highway safety or biodiversity have been identified.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

No neighbour responses were received; the parish council had no comment, highways raised no objection subject to conditions, and environmental health objected not.

“KCC Highways - The application is sought for a change of use as Manston Airport to a weekly market on a temporary basis for 5 years. As I understand the market has been in operation for approximately 1 year on Sundays, the operation of which is sought to retain.”

“TDC Environmental Health - No objection. The market has operated frequently without complaints of nuisance.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant’s representative spoke in favour, and the Planning Applications Manager outlined the report.

The vote

The Chair’s proposal, seconded by the Vice Chair, to approve the officer recommendation was agreed.

“The Chair proposed and the Vice Chair seconded to APPROVE the officer recommendation, subject to the following conditions:”

“When put to the vote the motion was AGREED.”

Minutes