The link below is a Parliament TV recording of Gladman providing evidence to the Communities and Local Government Committee on the operation of the NPPF; it includes some interesting comments on their approach and their views on Cheshire East’s Local Plan ……
http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=15755 July 2014.
So Gladman and co believe council planners are right when they approve applications but wrong when they write a 5 year plan – surprise, surprise,
Their statement on their website is illuminating, looks like they only take on sites that they have confidence in gaining planning permission for (http://www.gladman.co.uk/land/):- ‘Gladman don’t take an option on your land – instead we agree to promote your site now. Gladman pay all costs (fees, consultants,barristers, etc) needed to achieve planning consent including appeal costs when necessary – £300,000+ for a typical site. Gladman only get paid once the site has planning consent and is sold – our motivation to succeed is clear.’
….If Jodrell Bank are concerned then they will need to provide a robust defence!!