Plans for the reopening of Manston Airport have once again had to be put on ice after a High Court judge gave the nod for a new judicial review into the proposals.

It comes just two months after the Thanet site appeared to finally be set to take-off once again after an earlier bid was rejected.

However, at an oral hearing today, a High Court judge agreed to grant the review.

It will be a another blow to the site's owners - RiverOak Strategic Partners (RSP) which have plans to transform the former MoD airport into a thriving air cargo operation.

It says it is "disappointed" by the decision.

Speaking at the end of January, RSP chiefs finally felt confident it could push ahead with its multi-million pound plans. The airport has been shut since 2014.

But the bid for the review, brought about by Ramsgate resident Jenny Dawes, is set to further delay plans yet again.

She said: "I am delighted that today, at an oral hearing in the High Court, Justice Nathalie Lieven granted new permission to proceed with a second judicial review into the Secretary of State’s decision to get development consent for Manston Airport.

"I brought this case, with the support of thousands of people from Kent and beyond, because in today’s climate-constrained world, ploughing ahead with an airport for which there is no need and without taking into account its climate change impacts is nonsensical.

"The government’s decision to press ahead with Manston Airport, against the advice of the experts, including the government’s own advisors, risks irreparable harm to the people, economy, environment and heritage of the towns and villages of east Kent."

A spokesman for Ms Dawes added: "The decision will now be subject to full judicial scrutiny. Ms Dawes’ lawyers will begin preparing for the full hearing to overturn this disastrous decision that has overshadowed east Kent and the rest of the UK for long enough."

The government originally granted a Development Consent Order (DCO) three years ago - a move that appeared to pave the way for the RSP-owned site to reopen.

But in February 2021, it was officially quashed by the High Court, following a judicial review launched by Ms Dawes.

A judicial review sees a judge review the decision made by a government body.

Resubmitting its plans, RSP was delighted when permission was granted, again, in August.

Ms Dawes then launched another bid for a judicial review which was thrown out in January. However, as part of the process, she was entitled to a hearing with a judge to discuss the issues and attempt to overturn it - a mission which she has now succeeded in.

A spokesman for RSP said: "We are disappointed that this will now go to a full judicial review, albeit on reduced grounds.

"There is no basis for the claims made by the applicant, and this is simply a further delaying tactic – frustrating the shared desire of RSP and the Government, together with numerous local authorities, members of parliament, businesses, communities and other stakeholders – not to mention thousands of supporters of the airport – to see Manston return to operational use as an international freight hub for London and the South East, delivering new economic and employment opportunities for the people and organisations of east Kent and beyond."

South Thanet MP said it was a "disappointing decision" which would bring "more delay".

He added: "Most in Thanet want the £500m of investment and thousands of jobs that’ll come with this development."