The planning department have not changed their views about live/work. They continue to see the site as inappropriate for any residential or for a combination of live/work and residential.

This is why we wish to see a change in the planning desigation for the site to allow mixed use development. This is something that is currently being developed in the strategy for 5 sites in the north of the borough but none in the south. The fact that it is planned to 'tweak the system' in this way for five other sites shows that this is perfectly possible if done for the right reasons. Planning laws can be changed and we are in the process of moving from the UDP to a new LDF.

There has been no large input of cash from anybody or any promise of cash from anybody in the future. The council planning department often refer potential developers to Jeff when they are interested in developing live/work as he has a reputation for good quality live/work developments. It was this expertise that Jeff and others were able to bring to the discussion (not a bag full of cash) and that has started to change opinions over the potential value of the Willow Way site for employment use.

It is interesting to note that davhel52 already knows what the mayor will decide, unlike the rest of us!