More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
The future of Manston airport took an extraordinary twist after a document was leaked indicating it could be turned into a 'Garden City' with up to 10,000 homes.
The two-page document, put together by Kent-based developers Quinn Estates, outlined how it had been offered a third share in what is described as “one of the most important regeneration opportunities in the south east.”
But Ray Mallon, on behalf of airport owners Stone Hill Park Ltd, immediately dismissed the claims as 'completely untrue' and without basis.
The Quinn Estates document, which was posted on Facebook, said: "The proposal is to regenerate the former Manston airport site into a circa 800-acre garden city with 5,000 houses, with potential for up to 10,000 houses and commercial ventures and community uses amongst a large area of new parkland."
It describes how Stone Hill Park will be "a series of new communities living, working and playing in an outstanding setting in an architecturally designed mixed use community in close proximity to existing conurbations and infrastructure.
It adds: "The rationale is compelling. Boris Johnson has stated that London is failing to meet its objectively assessed housing need and has earmarked Kent as the area that can cope with the shortfall.”
“The location of Manston is supported by the £11bn HS1 and the proposed Manston Parkway which is less than 100m from the boundary of the former Manston airport and that would provide train times to London St Pancras of 57 minutes.”
But Mr Mallon said it was 'extremely unfortunate that such inaccurate information has entered the public domain'.
He added: "I am aware of a document circulating on social media which suggests that part of the Stone Hill Park site has been offered for sale to Quinn Estates Ltd. This is completely untrue and has no basis whatsoever.
"The document also contains a number of other inaccuracies with regard to what is planned for the site and it is extremely unfortunate that such inaccurate information has entered the public domain.
"We have always been open about our plans for the site and the broad details of our intentions for Stone Hill Park can be found on our website, www.stonehillpark.co.uk
"This outline plan, together with the results of the ongoing public consultation programme, will shape the planning applications for the site, which will be submitted to Thanet District Council next year.
"For the avoidance of doubt, we wish to make it quite clear that the owners of the site have absolutely no intention of selling any part of Stone Hill Park to Quinn Estates Ltd or any other third party.
"The ideas have not progressed as they didn't appear feasible and Quinn Estates has not contacted the owners of the Manston site with the ideas included within this document..." - Huw Evans, Quinn Estates
"The owners are here for the long term and intend to develop the site into an outstanding location where people can work, live and spend their leisure time in an environment of the highest quality.
A statement from Huw Evans of Quinn Estates Ltd added: "This document that has been circulated on social media was authorised by Quinn Estates for the use of Quinn Estates without the knowledge of the owners of the former Manston Airport site.
"Quinn Estates is a speculative property and development company which puts hundreds of documents together a year with a view to securing potential finance to enable an approach to land owners throughout the country.
"This document was a private and confidential document drafted for a select number of potential investors, none of which were secured.
"The ideas have not progressed as they didn't appear feasible and Quinn Estates has not contacted the owners of the Manston site with the ideas included within this document.
"Therefore, it is not the case that Quinn Estates are in negotiation with the owners of Stone Hill Park to purchase any of the land."
The developments come after Thanet council issued the American consortium RiverOak, which wants to be its partner in a forced buyout of Manston, with a final demand to provide it with financial details needed before it can consider a CPO.
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