£1bn Manston Airport redevelopment includes film studio

Plans for the £1bn renovation of Manston Airport include a film production studio, it was revealed today.

The former airport’s owners, Chris Musgrave and Trevor Cartner, have renamed the site Stone Hill Park and unveiled their proposals for the next two decades.

As well as a film studio, the redevelopment plans include 2,500 homes, a sports village with a 50m Olympic swimming pool, and 200 acres of manufacturing units - all of which will create 4,000 new jobs.

Upon the announcement of the proposals, Mr Carter stated he had already met up with a leading film firm based in the south of England that could possibly compete against the iconic Pinewood Studios.

At the media briefing, he said: “The enterprise we have talked to approached us as they are looking for a site in the South East.

“They are talking about 1,000 to 2,000 jobs and with Thanet Parkway, we would have excellent transport links.”

As well as the 50m swimming pool, the sports village will also house a 25m water training tank that will be used for water polo, indoor sports arena, astroturf pitches, running track, surf garden and several other facilities.

Mr Cartner, said: “Sport has been a major part of my life. This sports village would be the envy of others in the country.”

Ray Mallon, a spokesman for the owners, added: “We are planning for the future. This is not about now – it is about the next 15 to 20 years and providing jobs for young people. We have to make sure we have these jobs coming through. We are building a bedrock for the community.”

Protesters are still campaigning to keep the airport open, they want Thanet council to buy the site under a compulsory purchase order so US investment firm RiverOak can reopen it as an airport.

The proposals will be available for public viewing in July.

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