June 6 - RiverOak Investments has appointed a team of legal, aviation, planning, environmental impact and public affairs specialists to support its application for a development consent order (DCO) in relation to the UK's Manston Airport.
HLPFI reported on January 22 that the UK's National Infrastructure Planning inspectorate had received an application from RiverOak to reopen the airport in Kent.
RiverOak is now applying for a comprehensive DCO, which the company says "encompasses the compulsory purchase of the airport and the planning permissions required for the reinstatement of Manston as a successful and profitable airfreight hub".
RiverOak intends to reopen and reinstate the airport, which closed in May 2014 due to ongoing operational losses and lack of profitability, as a major international centre for airfreight; as well as a reliever to London's major airports, an aircraft recycling and engineering facility, a flight training school and a base for at least one passenger carrier.
The newly-appointed team is led by London law firm Bircham Dyson Bell, and includes Amec Foster Wheeler; RPS; Northpoint Aviation Consultancy; Viscount Aviation; Azimuth Consulting; Osprey; and Mouchel.
