News and Resources
Below is a selection of news items, case notes, articles, books and papers authored by members of Chambers.
There is also a separate Archive of Inspector’s Reports in respect of applications to register new town or village greens.
Eagles Flying High
Gregory Jones QC has assisted Crystal Palace Football Club in gaining planning approval for its £20million academy redevelopment. The site - located a couple of minutes down Copers Cope Road from the first team training base in Beckenham - will see the redevelopment of onsite buildings as well as the construction of a new covered full-size 3G synthetic pitch, for all-weather use. Read more
Licensing Hearings During the Coronavirus Crisis
The coronavirus has led to challenges unseen during peace-time. The licensing world is far from immune. On Monday, 16 March 2020 the Prime Minister advised the population to stop visiting pubs, bars, clubs, theatres and restaurants in order to promote social-distancing and so, for a period, help to suppress infection rates. There was no indication when these strictures will end. Tourism is on hold. The inevitable consequence of these steps is that the leisure and hospitality industry is now facing an existential crisis. It remains to be seen whether the recently announced government funding and loans will enable these job-creating, place-making businesses to survive the effective lockdown. Some will, many will not. Read more
Kensington Forum Judicial Review Succeeds: High Court Quashes Permission for Tallest Building in Kensington after Mayor Forced to Admit the Decision was Taken for an Improper Purpose
On 21 June 2019, the Mayor of London granted planning permission for a significant and controversial development, on land at the Kensington Forum Hotel, 97-109 Cromwell Road, London, SW7 4DN. Read more
All Three of Chambers' Female Planning Silks Recognised as Women of Influence 2020
Chambers is delighted that all three of our female planning silks have been included in The Planner’s Women of Influence 2020 list. Read more
A259 Littlehampton Corridor CPO Confirmed by Secretary of State
The Secretary of State has confirmed the CPO for the A259 Littlehampton corridor road improvement scheme. The £25m scheme involves dualling a section of the A259 which runs through Littlehampton and surrounding areas on the south coast. The Inspector and Secretary of State agreed with West Sussex County Council, the acquiring authority, that the scheme was needed to improve journey times, reduce congestion and assist in realising development plan ambitions in terms of housing and employment growth for the area. Read more
Judgment on NPPF Para 11(d)(ii) Tilted Balance
Mr Justice Holgate has handed down judgment in Gladman Developments Ltd v SSHCLG & Corby BC & Uttlesford DC [2020] EWHC 518 (Admin), a rolled-up hearing in two linked challenges under s288 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. The Judge refused permission, concluding that all four issues were unarguable. Read more
Statutory Undertaker Refused Warrant to Enter Premises under the Water Industry Act 1991
Water and sewerage companies (known, with other types of utility companies, as “statutory undertakers”) have statutory power to enter land to lay pipes and alter existing pipes under the Water Industry Act 1991. Given the importance of water and sewerage, water companies have extensive powers of entry onto land – and in the event of an emergency, no notice of entry is required. Read more
Supreme Court Grants Permission in Public Law Costs Case
The Supreme Court (Lords Kerr, Carnwath and Briggs) has granted permission to appeal from the Court of Appeal’s decision in CPRE - Kent Branch v SSCLG [2019] EWCA Civ 1230; [2020] 1 WLR 352. Read more
Jeremy Phillips QC Now Appointed to Teaching Regulation Agency Panel
Chambers is pleased to announce that Jeremy Phillips QC has been appointed to the Professional Conduct Panel of the Teaching Regulation Agency Panel. Read more
Third A5 Dual Carriageway Inquiry Opens
The third inquiry into the proposed A5 Dual Carriageway between New Buildings to Aughnacloy has opened today. The proposed scheme is the largest road scheme ever to be considered in Northern Ireland and is expected to cost c. £1 billion. The inquiry will take place in two stages — the first stage, which will address environmental issues, opens today and will last for four days; the second stage, which will address non–environmental issues, will take place in the week commencing 9 March 2020 and is expected to last for three days. This is the third inquiry into the proposed scheme, with two previous decisions to proceed with the proposed scheme having been quashed following successful legal challenges brought by the Alternative A5 Alliance. Read more