Inspired Villages lodges High Court challenge

We’ve just learned that Inspired Villages has lodged a High Court challenge against the dismissal of its appeal in January by the Planning Inspectorate. This was concerning its proposal to build 160 retirement units on the estate parkland west of Wroslyn Road.

A High Court challenge is a legal challenge to the appeal decision, and not a rerun of the merits of the planning arguments. A challenge must have legal grounds, such as claims that the Planning Inspector misapplied the law or policy or failed to follow proper procedures. If the challenge is successful, the Planning Inspectorate will have to re-determine the original appeal.

The Planning Inspectorate has explained to us what happens next:

• Inspired Villages’ claim will first be considered by the Judge based on written submissions.
• If permission is refused, Inspired Villages has the right to apply for an oral hearing. If permission is again refused, Inspired Villages can take this to the Court of Appeal. If the Court of Appeal also refuses permission for the case to proceed, there is no other route for Inspired Villages to take this forward.
• If permission is granted, the claim will proceed to a hearing, the outcome of which can be challenged by the losing party in the Court of Appeal. Claims can go all the way to the Supreme Court.
• Typically, there are a few months between each stage of the process, sometimes much longer.

Clearly, this is very disappointing news and it looks like this whole process might end up taking some time. We will keep you posted as and when we hear more.