bbuck
Falling off with Martin McKinna
Posts: 87
|
Post by bbuck on Sept 22, 2023 16:24:31 GMT 1
Have been following the daily recordings of the appeal by Brandon Estates against the refusal of their planning application by Rugby Council, and have to report that for Coventry Speedway, it doesn't seem to be going too well, and the Brandon Estates barrister seems to be getting the upper hand.
Hopefully, things will take a turn for the better, but prospects for the Bees don't look too rosy to me - although I hope I'm being too pessimistic.
|
|
|
Post by coombes on Sept 23, 2023 16:06:49 GMT 1
|
|
|
Post by benbulben on Sept 23, 2023 17:17:04 GMT 1
Matt Ford is due to speak at inquiry this week.
|
|
bbuck
Falling off with Martin McKinna
Posts: 87
|
Post by bbuck on Oct 30, 2023 16:52:08 GMT 1
My understanding of the situation is that the main part of the appeal proceedings have now been completed, and no further representations either in favour or against the appeal is to be considered. All that has to be established is a potential claim by the NHS for a substantial amount of cash to be paid to them (presumably by Brandon Estates) should their application to build houses on the site eventually be approved.
It does seem to me that even though there is a party (I believe he is a Stock Car promoter) prepared to purchase the stadium and willing to lease it for speedway if he is successful, Brandon Estates are asking for the value of the land as a potential housing estate rather than its value as a sports stadium, (and there would be a huge differential in these two valuations.
I imagine the fear is that even if Brandon Estates appeal against the refusal of a planning consent fails, there isn't a way to force them to sell the site. They will just sit on the land for perhaps 20/30 years and keep submitting new planning applications until such time as the condition of the stadium and the buildings there have deteriorated to a point that Rugby Council will give way and let them build on the site, since whatever the state of the stadium or what is left of it, the land itself will not lose any value.
|
|
|
Post by Coatbridge Tiger on Oct 30, 2023 19:53:02 GMT 1
In that circumstance Rugby Borough Council could well decide to put a compulsory purchase order on the site. As is explained at 53:30 in this video from the hearing, the cost to the council to purchase the land could actually be zero or a negative amount (i.e Brandon Estates would need to pay the council).
|
|
|
Post by drosser on Oct 31, 2023 0:36:13 GMT 1
In that circumstance Rugby Borough Council could well decide to put a compulsory purchase order on the site. As is explained at 53:30 in this video from the hearing, the cost to the council to purchase the land could actually be zero or a negative amount (i.e Brandon Estates would need to pay the council). I'm unsure if the CPO rules in England are the same as in Scotland but I have found that Councils do not seem keen to go down that route as is is a minefield which can drag for a long time. I suppose that the fact that it has been mentioned means that the council may consider it.
|
|
bbuck
Falling off with Martin McKinna
Posts: 87
|
Post by bbuck on Dec 23, 2023 20:56:08 GMT 1
I rather doubt that Rugby Council will seriously consider a Compulsory Purchase Order which would probably be seen by people living within the Borough who aren't speedway fans, as an appalling waste of Council Taxpayers money. I'm not familiar with the way that CPO's work, but my understanding is that a Council will only take this step if there is another party prepared to buy the site from them, and as Brandon Estates clearly see the speedway ground and large carpark as prime building land, they are likely to expect it to be priced accordingly (ie as building land not a sportsground) so whether the potential stock car promoter would be prepared to shell out a sky high price must be doubtful.
If the Planning Inspector does decide against the destruction of the stadium, I think the most likely outcome would be that Brandon Estates will just pick over the reasons and then submit a slightly altered further planning application, and keep on doing this for perhaps another 20 years whilst the stadium continues to deteriorate, and until Rugby Council eventually give way.
Thats a very negative situation I know, and I really do hope that I've got it all wrong.
|
|