Pentith decision not due until tomorrow

Following evidence from the solicitors representing Cheshire-based property developer Nick Pentith and his backer, British Rail Properties Board, the court case where Pentith is seeking a judicial review into the building of the Minchery Farm multiplex cinema has been adjourned until tomorrow, when a decision will be made by about 12.30pm. The solicitors' arguments basically followed the line of reasoning that Oxford City Council failed to follow the sequential test, as outlined in planning policy, of looking at suitable sites in sequence from the city centre outwards, and that OCC failed to consider suitable sites nearer the city centre than Minchery Farm.
Other arguments they have put forward include the demarcation of the Minchery Farm site in the local plan, which states that it should provide complementary development to the Oxpens site where Pentith's original multiplex application was refused. In addition they have claimed that the building of the Minchery multiplex would devalue their land at Oxpens and that PPG 17, which allows such developments if they enable the construction of football stadia, is not relevant as the building of the stadium had already begun. Another factor in their argument is that as Oxford City Council had a financial interest in the development then they were at fault for hearing the planning application.
All of these arguments do in fact build into a fairly convincing case that Oxford City Council did indeed fail to follow proper planning procedures, but tomorrow it's the turn of the Council's solicitors to mount their defence and try to convince Justice Peter Hidden that in fact everything was above board, and that the survival of Oxford United FC is a material planning consideration. Unfortunately the prognosis is gloomy and Firoz Kassam, who was in attendance at court today, didn't look too pleased as the day's events unfolded.

Groundhog Knight

As a result of United's current goalkeeping plight, with Andre Arendse injured for a few weeks and Pål Lundin damaging his ankle in the last minute at Colchester, our old mucker Richard Knight has returned to seek a permanent contract. He returns on loan from Derby following Craig Russell's return to Manchester City after his unsuccessful six game stint at the Manor. Knight featured in United's 5-0 home drubbing by Bristol City, where he won the prestigious Rage Online Man of the Match award, and in the away win at Wycombe where he replaced Lundin midway through the first half. When he was here previously Knight expressed his desire to remain at the Manor, and he jumped at the chance to return. With Lundin out of contract at the end of the season Knight will be hoping to prove to Denis Smith that he is better than United's current first team choice.

Foyled again!

Somehow a slight technical error appeared in Saturday's report of Martin Foyle's retirement. He did in fact score 44 goals for United, not seven (whoops, sorry Teamtalk!). Thanks to Andy Howland for pointing this out.