It is about time that CCFC got a response in so I am glad to see that. It sets out in my opinion very good reasons as to why the Academy is important to CCFC and the City of Coventry
Some thoughts, and a lot of it is just devils advocate and deliberately contrary so read it that way
- The letter reads like a public justification of the academy the letter would be useful if it stays and useful if it doesn't
- It also reads as if setting the scene for what follows, namely court action but on what.....?
- why did it take so long?
- why respond after the planning department had made their recommendation and are the planners duty bound to consider it if it is late?
- the points made about the Academy are good but in what way does it address planning issues - so if not most of it is irrelevant to the planning issue
- that site has been a sports ground for donkeys years before AHC - I used to play football there MSA Sports Ground - so is green belt such a great issue?
- the details of the offer on usage of the kicking barn whilst interesting are not planning issues they are operational?
- actually the site was achieved because of the community usage not because of CCFC being there, but certainly it was always intended CCFC Academy would be there
- Would it suit CSF/Wasps to see the agreement wind down and end? only 11 months to wait
- would it suit CCFC owners to see it end
- so the £652k from PL is central to the business plan, was there an increase this year? is it paid in advance or arrears?
- is there a legal duty for CSF to consult a day renter of the pitches, there is no lease or leaseholder rights?
- In essence does the usage of the site change - it will still be for the community and elite sport
- is more or less community usage available if there is a pool and wasps kicking barn than now?
- whose responsibility is it to ensure the viability of Academy?
- will the SBITC events be affected if there are still pitches available?
- when did the club first say they formally wanted to stay? months ago could be only March 2016
- when did CSF inform club that they would not seek a new arrangement of the old agreement?
- do CSF/Wasps/CCC have a legal responsibility to ensure the future of the Academy?
- what kind of agreement to stay is being sought by CCFC - user agreement again or something more?
- Wasps are offering a room rent much like anyone else could have aren't they the full details are irrelevant, but they are not offering rights over property etc the actual final terms are not relevant to the application only there being a perception of intention is. Nowhere near a full contract on any level
- isn't the process of novation a legal requirement when a landlord changes ? not a precursor to talks?
- isn't the simple fact that there is no usage of the Academy at AHC past 30-06-2017 and CCFC can't get round that and miscalculated badly?
- isn't it a conspiracy by CSF and Wasps to force CCFC out? They simply have to wait for the agreement to end and that opens up the planning and damages CCFC further
- do CSF have to make CCFC aware of future plans for the indoor pitch if CCFC only contracted till 30-06-2017? In any case the details of proposal outline have been in the public domain for 2 years surely decision makers needed to plan/act accordingly
- are CCFC in a position to make demands and stipulations?
- if this is the precursor to legal action is that the real reason CA wont attend talks?
- Is this just PR from both sides (objection & reply/offer)
- is there a flexible alternative using other sites that keeps the Academy (a) at Cat 2 and (b) in Coventry. If so the basis of much of the objection is what exactly?
- Do CSF or wasps have to deal with CCFC/SISU on anything at all, or can they simply decline or even ignore - the answer to that is troubling
Worryingly from all that, I do not feel that the letter is a particularly good objection to the planning on the site. It is clearly emotive and puts a very good case for the Academy and clearly places the blame for any potential failure on others. So is it something for the fans public consumption? To what purpose? and what follows?
remember I am playing devils advocate. The Academy should be at AHC not anyone else.