I note the conclusion in the Pier Pavilion Report:
"To seek endorsement of continued officer efforts to promote the
evolution of appropriate re-development proposals for the site.
Without the owner co-operation, even if Planning and Listed Building
Consent are eventually granted for the site, there are few
mechanisms available to secure implementation of a scheme other
than by private sector investment. The intervention of the Council
under Listed Building powers is not practicable and any direct
intervention (such as by way of compulsory purchase) would require
prior planning permission, Listed Building Consent, resource
allocation and extensive procedural processes. At present there are
no clear funding sources that could assist in facilitating Council
intervention or the development of the site by a private owner."
Given the above, it's seemingly amazing how any Compulsory Purchase ever goes though. But, of course, they do, on a regular basis. In the past, the WDA have offered to intervene using their own powers to break the deadlock - why was their offer not taken up? If CCBC was a business, they would have gone bankrupt years ago, such is their inefficiency.