Further update from the Doncaster Mayor. Apparently they had approached Peel with a view of purchasing the freehold of the land, this had been rejected by Peel but they are open to selling the leasehold to the council.
Does this suggest talks with the private sector have stalled? Seems a very precarious position for the council to put themselves in, presumably Peel see no issue with the council running it for a while and if they find the same as Peel (that it’s a money pit) they may then be more open to exploring other uses for the site down the line.
Expect the sticking point here is Peel being unwilling to sell the land. Perhaps why the private sector interest hasn’t apparently come to fruition.
Saying all this, reading between the lines a bit it would appear this is part of the groundwork for the CPO and the challenge from Peel. Council offer to buy, Peel offer goodwill and make the leasehold available. Most logical explanation is that this is a game of brinksmanship ahead of further legal challenges.
Last edited by pug; 13th Jan 2023 at 20:02.