[Gayle]

I think you're missing my point. It's not really possible to get the nod about planning permission in advance of submitting it unless you have an insider who would be able to authorise it when it was submitted. One would have to question who would be in that sort of position of power and who would benefit from it?

Although, as you point out, that is a moot point now because the planned usage has appeared to change. Don't be surprised if that's not the full story though.