I wonder if Stobart's experience at SEN shaped their thinking when it came to CAX and the CAA? There are those who believe that there are issues down south that should have prevented the CAA granting a licence, in particular St Lawrence church with its spire 105 metres from the runway extension centreline, and the boundary fence of the graveyard under 50 metres.
I'm not qualified to come to any judgement, but if Stobart found the CAA flexible and willing to assist at SEN then they may have expected that attitude as a given at CAX.