Just found this on the local rag web-site.
Legal problems stifle Marshall's RAF move
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PLANS to relocate one of the city's biggest employers to a Suffolk air base have hit the buffers after the move was blocked by defence chiefs.
Marshall was set to move its aerospace division to RAF Mildenhall - freeing up land for a 12,000-home development on the eastern edge of Cambridge on the site of the city's airport.
But the Ministry of Defence has announced the proposed move is off after it was unable to overcome "legal, financial and commercial" problems.
John Watkins, senior executive for special projects at Marshall Aerospace, was disappointed the move broke down.
"We have put a great deal of effort into looking at RAF Mildenhall at a very significant cost," he said.
"We still believe relocation to RAF Mildenhall is a good option for the vast majority of stakeholders. We would still be keen to develop the relocation plans if there is a change in circumstances. It means we will need to revisit other options for the aerospace business. However, Marshall Aerospace is looking with great energy to continue the operations which are going on presently."
The firm will now revive plans to relocate to other nearby air bases, such as RAF Wyton and RAF Alconbury, although the latter is now being considered as a site for thousands of new houses.
The MoD announcement has derailed the Cambridge East Area Action Plan, which requires the Marshall-owned Cambridge Airport for its ambitious home-building plans.
The scheme was given the go-ahead by a Government inspector in December and is a key part of plans to build an extra 47,500 homes in Cambridgeshire by 2016.
Alex Plant, chief executive of Cambridgeshire Horizons, said: "There are other relocation sites under consideration and we will now work closely with our local authority partners, the Government, and Marshall as a matter of urgency to progress this complex, but exciting project."
David Olney, chief operating officer of Defence Estates said: "Relocation adjacent to RAF Mildenhall with use of its runway facilities was always a complex option with unique issues, and all parties involved, including the USAF, have worked closely to try to achieve its delivery."
There was also disappointment from Forest Heath District Council, which is keen to attract the aerospace firm to the area.
A spokesman said: "It remains our belief that a move to Forest Heath and Mildenhall by Marshall Aerospace will benefit both the district and the company and we will do our best to make it happen."
Published: 17/02/2009
I wonder just what exactly these legal problems are?