A final legal ruling on whether the decision to allow permission for Manston Airport to reopen was lawful is not expected to be made for another few months.

The development consent order (DCO) giving owners clearance for its plans to take off at the site near Ramsgate and bring regular flights back there was approved by the government earlier this year.

A judicial review hearing took place at the High Court last week, but the decision may not be announced until after the summer as the court is in recess during August and September.

Ramsgate resident Jenny Dawes, who is opposing the plans and leading the challenge, says it is impossible to tell what that decision may be following the hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice last Tuesday and Wednesday.

After originally contesting the approval for plans for an air freight hub at Manston in 2020, Ms Dawes set up a crowdfunder and launched a second judicial review application after the DCO was granted for a second time in August last year.

But Ms Dawes called in the decision once more for a judge to determine if the order has been granted properly.

The first review was rejected in January and then partially allowed following another review of that decision by another judge in March.

So far, Ms Dawes has crowdfunded more than £75,000 in pledges to pay for the action.

She said in her most recent update to supporters following the hearing: “Judicial review is not for faint hearted.

“I am so very, very grateful to everyone who has made this court hearing possible by supporting this two-part campaign since its inception in July 2020.”

At the hearing last week it was considered whether the need for the airport was correctly assessed and if due consideration was given to what impact the scheme might have on the government’s ability to meet its future carbon reduction targets.

RiverOak Strategic Partners (RSP) wants to create aviation hub at the former RAF base and airport by introducing a cargo freight centre and associated business as well as promising the return of passenger flights, saying an investment of up to £500m will be made.

Construction is planned to be phased over 15 years and include 19 freight stands and four passenger stands for aircraft as well as warehousing and fuel storage.

Campaigners against the development raise issues including noise, need, climate harm and damage to Ramsgate’s tourism industry, but outcome could still result in more court hearings if either side attempts further review in light of the ruling.