We can exclusively confirm that SDC have approached two of the farmers. The third farmer has been approached by the Arena Racing Company (ARC).
We understand that ARC approached the third farmer at the back end of 2015 for the first time. ARC have recently been back in touch with him about selling his land to them.
Of the first two farmers we are certain that one of them does not wish to sell, and the other refrained from making any comment for fear that they may well breach the secrecy agreement SDC asked them to sign.
There was a rumour flying around that some of the land was owned by an Oxford College. We can say with all certainty that is simple not true. It was, but the land was sold over 10 years ago.
Now one of the ironies of life is that on Wednesday 25th at the Cabinet meeting held at the Civic Centre, Cllr Rory Love, former leader of SDC, made overtures about the concept of transparency. After the close of the meeting our public face spoke with him and asked him about whether or not SDC had approached the farmers. His only comment was ‘ I am not in a position to comment’. Our public face urged him on reminding him that only minutes earlier he was eloquently espousing the virtues of transparency but again, he refused to confirm or deny if any approaches had been made to the farmers. That’s SDC transparency for you.
Questions: Who will buy the land? SDC? With what, as they have a 62.5 million pound debt? Will they borrow the money? From whom? At what cost?
We are sure you’ll have some questions, so please do leave a comment.
Anyway, Cllr Love et al, two farmers have been approached by SDC and the third by ARC.
