Manston airport's proposed new night flying policy would transform Manston from a day-time airport to a 24/7 airport, open for arrivals and departures around the clock. This would be - in planning terms - a material change of use. It should automatically trigger and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

The airport needs to be brought inside the planning framework - at the moment it has "certificates of lawful use" rather than full planning permission. This would put the relationship between the airport owners, the Council and the residents on a better long-term footing - rights and responsibilities would be clear.

As part of the planning paperwork, the S106 agreement should be reviewed - it's long overdue. It should have been reviewed every three years since it was signed in September 2000. It has never been reviewed. We need better.

• What's the problem?
• See the main proposal, and the supporting documents.
• Click to see maps showing how the "noise footprint" of the airport will increase.
• Click to see maps showing the "noise footprint" of the commonest aircraft that would be arriving and departing.
• See a night flight timetable that would be allowed.
• A bit more background.