OK, so apologies that this is dashed off, Masterchef takes priority!
Fair point, I agree. Said the other day, it's unprecedented for *everybody* to be in favour. I'#d like to know why there wasn't One. Single. Objector.
It's not about blackmail. It's about recognising what SISU didn't until too late, maybe, that you need CCC on side as they can open doors for you, and make life easier elsewhere. Much as CRFC weren't going to go against the clauses CCC wanted inserted, neither would Wasps go out on a limb. In terms of partnerships, Wasps need CCC more than CCFC, so better to keep them on board.
Well... on ther absolute level yep. But appeals take time, are expensive, distress a company while going through the legal process - we all know this ends up a distraction and expense - isn't that what the upset at SISU's court action focusses on, after all? And of course CCC can't absolutely block things, but they can help facilitate. On the margins of decisions that can go either way, it's helpful if the council is likely to approve rather than not. As we know, there's the law... and the interpretation of the law. A more lax attitude to planning, just at the margins, can help. In addition to that, there are things CCC can help with to help push things through - put provision in the local plan, agree to build access roads rather than expect CCFC to foot the bill for them, etc.
Fine, fair point, but then owning that land can tie up funds needed to buy the *real* land. Even a hedge fund has finite resources to commit.
As an aside, we're back in 2013/2014, aren't we!