Councillors have voted to back a plan that leaves open the possibility of re-opening Manston as an airport.

The decision to adopt the Local Plan - a strategic blueprint for the area over 20 years - comes just days after the consortium that wants to set up a cargo airport submitted a revised application to acquire the site under a Development Consent Order.

Councillors backed the plan by 31 to 21 votes.

Leader Bob Bayford said: "Most of us were elected to do what we could to bring back aviation to Manston.

"This plan gives us an option to honour that pledge.

“Tonight’s vote was the right decision for our Local Plan.

"We now have a way forward that provides an opportunity for options around the airport to materialise – whether that’s through the DCO process or through another interested party as a possible indemnity partner of the council.

“It’s important that we now continue with the process and ensure that the public take this opportunity to comment before we submit our draft plan, along with all of the evidence, to the Inspector. "We can’t afford any further delays to the process and will be sticking to the timetable to provide assurance to the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government that further intervention will not be necessary.”

Leader Bob Bayford said: "Most of us were elected to do what we could to bring back aviation to Manston.

Campaigners who back the airport plan welcomed the decision by Thanet council to adopt the Local Plan.

But opposition parties warned that at a public inquiry which will determine whether to accept the plan, there was a risk it would be rejected.

Labour councillor Karen Constantine attacked the plan as outrageous as it did not rely on sound evidence. “It is our responsibility to ensure our strategies for housing are fit for purpose. This plan is far from sound. This kicks the ball into the long grass."

It means that the 2,500 houses that had been earmarked for the former airport will now be re-allocated to other sites around the isle.

These include 1,600 homes in Birchington, (600 more); 2,000 homes in Westgate-on-Sea, (1,000 more); and 1,200 houses at Manston Court (700 more).

The ruling Conservative administration had already backed the plan but it could not be formally adopted until a full council meeting was held.

Over the plan period, a total of 17,140 houses are to be built.

The council has been threatened with government intervention for its failure to adopt a Local Plan.

It is unclear whether the government will now review that threat.

Although the council has backed the plan, it will have to be the subject of a public inquiry by the Planning Inspectorate.

But the vote tonight to adopt the plan does represent a move forward.

Current owners of the site, Stone Hill Park, say they are confident that their plans for a mixed-use development for up to 4,000 homes, business and leisure facilities will go ahead.