If the local authority (and the "Marple 6") are so set against a supermarket on Hibert Lane why don't they commit to gifting the proceeds of the sale of Chadwick Street to the Cheadle & Marple College? If the College then gets its (£4m?) from selling HL for housing, then both parties would get what they want. There are examples in other parts of the country where local authorities have made capital contributions to College projects. So, "Marple 6", let's hear what you think.
An interesting point. The council would not be allowed to just do it - they are not permitted to just give away assets to whoever they like - but they might get permission from the government. Something like this has indeed been known to happen, and I have personal experience of it, although this was a few years ago and the 'rule book' may have changed by now. The relevant government department, of course, is DCLG, where ironically our MP used to be a junior minster.
The council would need to argue that there was some clear economic or other measurable benefit to local council taxpayers, and that this benefit would not happen unless they donated the proceeds from Chadwick Street. Which on the face of it, they could do.
The question is, is the political will there to actually do it? And if there is, why has no mention of the possibility been made by any councillor or by our MP?
