An emergency motion suggesting a possible way of saving Manston Airport was put to Kent chiefs this afternoon by Thanet council leader Cllr Clive Hart.

Thanet District Council is suggesting looking at ways of extending the existing Discovery Park Enterprise Zone to cover the airport, as well as Manston Business Park and the Richborough corridor.

Cllr Hart, cabinet member for economic development, submitted the emergency motion to the Kent Council Leaders' meeting this afternoon.

He will put it to the Thanet Regeneration Board tomorrow.

Cllr Hart said: “I’ve put forward this emergency motion so that we explore the possibility of extending the Enterprise Zone from Discovery Park at Richborough. I’m suggesting discussing extending this to cover the Richborough corridor, which is a former power station site, Manston Business Park and Manston Airport itself.

“The council has been clear that it has supported the airport and this could help us find the best opportunity to either save the airport in its current form or find the best possible future for the site, whichever scenario plays out.”

Kent Council Leaders’ is a high-level strategic group made up of Kent County Council leader Cllr Paul Carter, and heads of the county’s 12 district councils in Kent and Medway Council, supported by district chief executives and top ranking officers.

They have pledged to work towards the Kent Recommitment, sharing priorities, new initiatives, joint working and progress for the greater good of Kent and its people. It also governs the “Vision for Kent”; Kent’s Sustainable Community Strategy.