THANET aims to be a "land of opportunities" after a new organisation gets to work on promoting two key business parks as great places for jobs, skills and training.

East Kent Opportunities, a joint venture between Kent County Council and Thanet council was unveiled today (14) to drive the commercial development of Eurokent and Manston business parks.

It aims to regenerate the area by creating jobs, improving skills and training opportunities.

Roger Gough, KCC Cabinet Member for Regeneration and EKC chairman, said: "East Kent Opportunities is all about making the most out of what we have got in terms of publicly owned land in order to transform this part of East Kent into a truly sustainable and vibrant place to live and work that is the envy of anywhere else in the South East."

Thanet council member Roger Latchford said: "Thanet is an exciting place at the moment and increasingly in the commercial spotlight, thanks to the likes of Westwood Cross, Kent International Airport, Thanet Earth and the prospect of massive investment from overseas. By pooling our resources we will be better placed to plan for the future for the benefit of local parties and businesses."

Both councils have pledged to give residents a say in the Eurokent development, which is close to Westwood Cross, the shopping and leisure centre, the Newington estate and the Marlowe Academy.

Work recently began on a new £6.5m spine road which, when completed later this year, will open up the Eurokent site and improve access to new developments at Westwood Cross and ease local congestion by avoiding the busy Haine Road.

Residents, community groups and the business community can have their say at public events held at Westwood Cross between February 26 and March 1 (11am - 5pm except on February 26 when it will be open from noon until 7:30pm).

Mr Gough added: "This consultation is an integral part of the masterplanning process which will look at what the area has to offer and what facilities, activities and amenities could be provided on this land in order to improve the local area and economy. This is all about how we work together to best shape the future of Thanet."

KCC acquired Manston Park, formerly Kent International Business Park, following the collapse of PlaneStation, airport owner and parent company of the failed EUjet airline, in 2006.

Despite its location close to Kent International Airport, the 70-acre site has been slow to take off, with only a handful of business users, principally Cummins Power Generation, Avia Services and Invicta Food.

Thanet council owns the 40-acre Eurokent site which will be put into the joint venture following the ending of an agreement with Rosefarm Estates.

The new venture is the result of the signing of the "Kent Commitment" by KCC and the county’s 12 district councils to co-operate in shaping the area’s economic growth and regeneration.