HIGHGATE - VERDICT IMMINENT ON JUDICIAL REVIEW OF RETAIL PARK

27.10.03

Following last week's two-day hearing at the High Court, local residents and Highgate councillors are now awaiting the outcome of what could be a landmark court ruling on the controversial retail park development on the Archway Road. The judge in the case, Mr Justice Richards, is expected to deliver his verdict on the judicial review process in the next week.

The judicial review of the proceedings will address a number of serious discrepancies in the Council's handling of the planning application. These include the lack of an Environmental Impact Assessment on the highly sensitive woodland site, the lack of adequate notification to the local residents, and the fact that landscaping requirements were expressly placed in the initial planning application.

Lib Dem councillor Bob Hare says the ruling is potentially of national significance. It may establish that a developer has certain responsibilities regarding the impact of their development, even if it is the local council, and not the developer itself, who has committed blunders in the planning process.

Cllr Bob Hare comments:

"This is the worst blow to the environment in Highgate for decades, and it is a very important case - a rare example of a judicial review of the planning process. Haringey has undoubtedly spent thousands of pounds in an effort to avoid blame for this tragic mess.

"Controversially, the Council's own barrister has admitted in court that their own earlier attempt to delay this case collapsed. The Council has been obstructing the supply of information, and has sought to delay proceedings while it sought fresh planning permission on the site. We await the judgement, and we will not be letting the matter rest."

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