I notice in this article on the rejection of two schemes for housing in Thatcham that mention is made of the Councils Market Place scheme offering alternative provision. Is there a risk that a potential conflict of interest in planning applications and decisions could arise as the council develops it's own property building empire ? Certainly two viable schemes seem to have been flattened in preference to two controversial ones.
http://www.newburytoday.co.uk/news/news/22045/minister-rejects-two-housing-developments-for-thatcham.html
Conflict of interest is inevitable as Unitary and Parish level Councillors scrabble amongst themselves for what little real work and responsibility is left to local government. It's made even worse round here by political gaming. I would say that local government is now a joke; trouble is, that's not funny.
Interesting article. If I did not know better it could be seen as a warning salvo in a turf war ? p.s. I know nothing !
http://www.newburytoday.co.uk/news/news/22093/very-strong-message-to-developers-after-thatcham-appeals-turned-down.html