I was able to fix it using your steps however a new issue has presented itself:
Prereqs: I clear the cache as part of the automated test in case it matters.
There is a PageFooter panel which contains some information on the page I am testing. The page loads fine(and the panel is obviously there). However, the Object Browser does not see this PageFooter panel when I refresh the object browser(after the test fails because it couldn't find the footer). If I refresh the webpage, object browser now sees the page footer.
Might be best to split this off so I don't steal Damian's post(sorry)